Manipur has been put under the President’s Rule as the ruling government was not able to find consensus on the candidate for Chief Minister’s post following the resignation of CM N Biren Singh.

• Manipur was in a violent ethnic conflict for the last 21 months.
• On May 3, 2023, the All Tribal Students’ Union of Manipur (ATSUM) organized a march opposing the Meitei ST demand which led to ethnic conflict.
• In February 2025, CM N. Biren Singh resigned and President’s Rule was imposed amid political instability  to prevent further constitutional crisis.

History of Ethnic Tensions in Manipur

Pre-Colonial and Colonial Era (Before 1947)

• Manipur as an Independent Kingdom
  • Manipur was an independent kingdom ruled by Meitei kings from the Ningthouja dynasty.
  • The Meitei rulers followed Sanamahism (indigenous religion) but later adopted Hinduism in the 18th century, creating a cultural distinction from the tribal hill communities.
• British Colonial Rule (1891-1947)
  • Manipur became a princely state under British rule in 1891.
  • British divide-and-rule policy created a sharp distinction between:
    • Meiteis in the valley were administered indirectly.
    • Hill tribes (Nagas & Kukis), had separate administration under the British.
  • The Anglo-Kuki War (1917-1919):
    • Kukis resisted British efforts to recruit them for World War I.
    • This led to a violent conflict between the Kuki-Zomi tribes and the British.
  • The Naga nationalist movement began in the 1940s, seeking a separate Naga homeland.

Post-Independence Period (1947-1972)

• Merger with India (1949) & Initial Resentment
  • After India’s independence, Manipur was merged with India in 1949, leading to resentment among locals.
  • The Meiteis opposed the merger, demanding a return to sovereignty.
  • The hill tribes (Nagas and Kukis) sought greater autonomy or integration with Nagaland.
• Formation of Nagaland (1963) & Naga Insurgency
  • The Naga Nationalist Council (NNC) led a movement for a Greater Nagaland (Nagalim), including Naga-inhabited areas of Manipur.
  • The Indian government created Nagaland as a separate state in 1963, but demands for Naga integration continued.
  • Naga armed groups, including the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM), sought to include Manipur’s Naga areas in Nagalim.

Insurgencies and Ethnic Conflicts (1972-2000s)

• Statehood & Rise of Meitei Insurgency (1972 Onward)
  • Manipur was granted full statehood in 1972, but ethnic groups remained dissatisfied.
  • Meitei insurgent groups like:
    • People’s Liberation Army (PLA) – 1978
    • United National Liberation Front (UNLF) – 1964
    • People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK) – 1977
      Demanded an independent Manipur and opposed integration with India.
• Kuki-Naga Conflicts (1990s)
  • The Nagaland insurgency spread into Manipur, with the NSCN-IM demanding control over Naga areas in Manipur.
  • The Kukis opposed this, leading to violent conflicts in the 1990s.
  • 1992-1997 Kuki-Naga Clashes:
    • Hundreds killed, and thousands of Kukis displaced.
    • The NSCN-IM targeted Kukis, calling them “outsiders” in Naga land.
• Kuki-Zomi vs. Meitei Tensions (2000s-Present)
  • The Meiteis demanded Inner Line Permit (ILP) to restrict “outsiders,” including tribals, from settling in the valley.
  • 2015 Protests:
    • The Manipur government introduced three bills restricting land rights for non-Meiteis.
    • This led to violent tribal protests, especially in Churachandpur, a Kuki-Zomi stronghold.
  • 2018-2022 Meitei vs. Tribal Conflicts:
    • Demands for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for Meiteis were opposed by hill tribes.

Immediate Causes of the 2023-2025 Crisis

• Demand for ST Status by Meiteis (April-May 2023)
  • Meiteis sought Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, citing economic and political marginalization.
  • Kuki-Zomi tribes opposed this, fearing loss of land rights and reservations.
  • The Manipur High Court’s directive to consider ST status for Meiteis triggered protests.
• Ethnic Clashes & Violence (May 2023 Onward)
  • May 3, 2023: The All Tribal Students’ Union of Manipur (ATSUM) organized a march opposing the Meitei ST demand.
  • Violence erupted between Meiteis & Kuki-Zomi groups, leading to:
    • Over 260 deaths and 60,000+ displaced persons.
    • Widespread arson, including the burning of homes, churches, and government buildings.
    • Security forces struggling to contain violence, leading to deployment of 40,000+ paramilitary personnel.

Factors Responsible for the Manipur Crisis

Historical and Ethnic Factors

• Long-standing Ethnic Divisions:  Meiteis predominantly Hindu, concentrated in the Imphal Valley and Nagas & Kuki-Zomi Tribes primarily Christian, inhabiting the hills.
  • British colonial policies created a divide between the valley and the hills.
• Historical Insurgencies & Armed Groups
  • Meitei Insurgent Groups: UNLF, PLA, PREPAK – fighting for an independent Manipur.

• • Naga Insurgency: NSCN-IM’s demand for Greater Nagaland (Nagalim).
  • Kuki-Zomi Insurgency: Demand for separate administration or autonomy.
  • Frequent conflicts between these groups have led to recurring violence.
• Land & Identity Issues
  • Meiteis restricted to 10% Imphal Valley; cannot buy land in hills due to Article 371C.
  • Nagas and Kukis historically conflicted over territorial control (e.g., 1990s Kuki-Naga clashes).Demands for land protection (Inner Line Permit for Meiteis, hill protection for tribes).

Political and Governance Issues

• Demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) Status by MeiteisApril 2023: Meiteis demanded ST status to access reservation benefits and land rights.
• • Tribal groups (Kukis & Nagas) opposed this, fearing loss of their constitutional protections.
  • Manipur High Court’s directive to consider Meitei ST status triggered large-scale protests.

Socio-Economic Factors

• Economic Disparities & Development Imbalance
  • Imphal Valley (Meiteis) better developed than the hill areas (tribal regions).
  • Hill communities lack proper infrastructure, education, and healthcare.
  • Kuki-Zomi and Naga tribes feel marginalized, leading to demands for autonomy.
• Poppy Cultivation & Narco-Terrorism Allegations
  • Kuki-Zomi communities accused of running drug cartels & poppy plantations.
  • Myanmar-linked drug trade (heroin, methamphetamine) fueling violence.
  • Government’s anti-drug drive seen as targeting Kukis unfairly, worsening tensions.

Myanmar Factor & Refugee Influx

• Spillover from Myanmar’s Civil War (2021 Coup): Myanmar’s Tatmadaw (military) crackdown on ethnic groups led to Chin-Kuki refugees entering Manipur.
  • Meitei leaders labeled Kukis as “illegal immigrants”, fueling hostility.
• Free Movement Regime (FMR) & Border Tensions: India allowed free movement across the Myanmar-Manipur border for local tribes.
  • Abolition of FMR announced in 2023, worsening tribal insecurity.
• Involvement of Foreign Armed Groups: Reports suggest Myanmar-based militant groups involved in Manipur conflict.
  • China’s influence on northeast insurgents is also suspected.

Breakdown of Communal Harmony & Mistrust

• Social Media & Misinformation
  • Fake news & hate speeches fueled violence.
  • Video of tribal women being paraded naked (July 2023) intensified clashes.
• Religious Polarization
  • Churches & Christian institutions targeted, deepening rift between Meiteis & Kukis.
  • Hindu nationalist narratives used to justify Meitei actions.
• Internal Displacement & Humanitarian Crisis
  • Over 60,000 people displaced, living in relief camps.
  • Food shortages, lack of healthcare, rising mental health issues.
  • Manipuri refugees fled to Mizoram, Assam, and Nagaland.

Political Crisis and President’s Rule

• Constitutional Crisis:
  • Article 174: Assembly session gap < 6 months lapsed on February 12, 2025, after skipped winter session.
  • Budget session planned for February 10 canceled after CM’s resignation.
• CM’s Exit: Chief Minister resigned in February 2025.
• 11th Instance: Manipur’s frequent President’s Rule reflects chronic political fragility and ethnic diversity.
• Animated Suspension: Assembly not dissolved, allowing BJP time to resolve internal conflicts.

Challenges for President’s Rule in Manipur

• Ethnic Conflict Resolution
  • Deep-Seated Ethnic Mistrust: Kuki-Zomi groups demand a separate administration, but Meiteis oppose any division of Manipur.
    • Nagas have separate aspirations, complicating negotiations.
    • Ensuring neutrality while addressing ethnic grievances is difficult.
  • Fear of Majoritarian Bias: Many Kukis see President’s Rule as a cover for re-establishing Meitei dominance.
    • Any attempt to centralize power or remove tribal autonomy could escalate tensions.
• Security & Insurgency Management
  • Disarmament & Demilitarization Challenges: Over 4,000 weapons looted from state armories remain unaccounted for.
    • Village defense forces (Meitei & Kuki-Zomi) resist disbanding, fearing future attacks.
  • Threat of Renewed Insurgencies: Meitei insurgents (UNLF, PLA, PREPAK) & Kuki-Zomi armed groups (KNA, UPF, ZRA) may regroup.
    • Myanmar-based militant groups may infiltrate Manipur, further destabilizing the region.
• Political Challenges
  • Balancing Central & Local Interests: The Central Government must avoid appearing biased towards any ethnic group.
    • Failure to hold fair elections quickly could erode trust in democracy.
• Governance & Institutional Challenges
  • Ensuring Fair Representation in Administration: Tribal groups demand a greater say in governance, fearing Meitei dominance.
    • Administrative reshuffling needed to regain people’s confidence in state institutions.
  • Addressing Constitutional & Legal Issues: Implications of Article 371C (special provisions for Manipur’s tribals) must be considered.
    • Any attempt to alter sub-state constitutional asymmetry could spark further unrest.

Implications of the Manipur Crisis

• Loss of Human Life and Displacement
  • Casualties: As of May, 2024, 221 people killed, over 1,000 injured, 32 missing, with 4,786 houses burnt and numerous structures vandalized.
  • Displacement: Approximately 58,000 people in 334 registered relief camps across valley and hill districts; 12,000 fled to Mizoram, 7,000 to Nagaland, Assam, and Meghalaya. Unregistered displaced (living with relatives or in temporary shelters) remain unaccounted for.
  • Humanitarian Crisis: Over 50,000 internally displaced since May, 2023, with basic needs (food, water, shelter) unmet due to dwindling resources, donor fatigue, and conflict-induced inflation.
• Violence Against Women
  • Sexual Violence: Meitei mobs targeted Kuki-Zo women as a control tactic, including assaults and forced stripping under threats. 
    • A notable incident involved two Kuki women paraded naked by a mob, captured in a video clip, prompting national and international outrage.
  • State Complicity: CBI alleges Manipur Police personnel drove mobs (~1,000 people) that stripped and gang-raped victims, highlighting institutional failure and gendered violence as a weapon of conflict.
• Economic Development Setbacks
  • Trade Collapse: Exports of handwoven textiles, medicines, and food items dropped by nearly 80%. 
  • Infrastructure Stagnation: Violence impeded projects like the India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway, and Moreh’s role as a trade hub declined, stalling Northeast India’s economic engagement with Southeast Asia.
  • Poverty-Unrest Cycle: Economic stagnation fuels disenfranchisement, pushing youth toward unrest and militancy.
• Growth of Militancy
  • Fertile Ground: Prolonged unrest provides opportunities for militant groups to expand influence, recruit disenfranchised youth, and escalate extremist activities.
  • Cross-Border Links: Historical ties with Myanmar-based groups (e.g., via drug trafficking routes) and past insurgent bases in Bangladesh (e.g., UNLF, PLA) could revive, further destabilizing the region. 
• Health and Education Crisis
  • Healthcare Collapse: Kuki-Zo in hill districts lack access to Imphal’s tertiary care; journeys to Nagaland or Mizoram take 17–24 hours, causing unreported deaths (e.g., a mother’s post-childbirth death in Churachandpur, June 2023).
    • Displaced in camps face malnutrition (dal-rice-potato diet), Vitamin A deficiency (risking night blindness in children), and untreated chronic conditions (e.g., kidney disease deaths).
  • Education Disruption: Over 22,000 children in camps with no schooling; compounded by poor camp conditions (e.g., water shortages, unsanitary living).
• Political and Governance Fallout
  • Constitutional Strain: Assembly session lapses (Article 174) and Singh’s exit created a constitutional limbo, underscoring Manipur’s fragility (11th President’s Rule).
• Regional and Border Security
  • Myanmar Spillover: 95,600 refugees (Dec 2024) from Myanmar’s coup destabilize Manipur’s ethnic balance, strain border management, and fuel drug trafficking via the 1,643 km porous border.
  • Economic Engagement: Violence dims Northeast India’s prospects for external economic ties, with plans like border haats and FMR-based trade disrupted.

Way Forward for Manipur Crisis

• Security & Law Enforcement: Immediate disarmament of armed groups and recovery of looted weapons.
  • Strengthen neutral law enforcement, ensuring equal security for all communities.
• Political & Governance Reforms: Early elections after ensuring stability, with fair representation of all ethnic groups.
  • Strengthen Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) for better governance in tribal areas.
• Reconciliation & Dialogue: Create an independent peace committee with leaders from Meitei, Kuki-Zomi, and Naga communities.
  • Address grievances through constitutional mechanisms, including discussions on Article 371C.
• Humanitarian Assistance & Rehabilitation: Ensure safe return of displaced persons (60,000+ IDPs) with security guarantees.
  • Improve relief camps, healthcare, education, and livelihood opportunities.
• Economic Revival: Restart Indo-Myanmar border trade and revive economic activities in conflict-hit areas.
  • Provide special economic packages for employment and skill development.
• Strengthening Border Security & External Relations: Enhance border security with Myanmar to prevent illegal migration & arms smuggling.
  • Collaborate with Myanmar & Southeast Asian nations under India’s Act East Policy.
• Balancing Ethnic Interests & Constitutional Safeguards: Ensure equal rights & protection for all communities, avoiding favoritism.
  • Avoid any forced integration or division of Manipur that could escalate tensions.

Conclusion

The imposition of President’s Rule provides an opportunity to restore governance and security in Manipur. However, a long-term solution requires political inclusivity, economic rebuilding, and community reconciliation. Addressing historical grievances through dialogue and institutional reforms will be key to ensuring lasting peace and stability in the state.

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