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Shadow of fear, state of mistrust
Three years into a Manipur ethnic conflict, violence has persisted with hundreds killed, thousands displaced, and political leadership in flux. In April 2026, at least 11 people died in clashes, including a mortar attack that killed two children, even as a Centre-appointed inquiry into the crisis struggles to submit its report. The article details a widening conflict and stalled accountability mechanisms amid governance challenges.
Why It Matters
The delay in a key inquiry and ongoing violence highlight governance gaps and risk of a protracted conflict, underscoring the need for accountable leadership and effective peace-building.
Timeline
6 Events
Article reporting ongoing unrest and stalled inquiry
May 3, 2026
As of May 3, 2026, the article describes ongoing unrest, the Centre-appointed Commission of Inquiry, and a leadership vacuum, noting four extensions to the inquiry deadline with the last deadline reportedly May 20, and that the chair resigned midway, with thousands of submissions still pending.
Burial of two children after protests
April 28, 2026
The bodies of the two children killed on April 7 were buried around April 28, 2026, after state-wide protests and shutdowns.
Mortar attack kills two children
April 7, 2026
In a suspected mortar attack on April 7, 2026, a five-year-old boy and his five-month-old sister were killed.
April 2026 clashes contribute new casualties
April 2026
In April 2026, at least 11 people died in separate clashes as the conflict widened to involve Nagas, expanding the violence across Manipur beyond the Imphal Valley and hill districts.
Centre-appointed Commission of Inquiry established
June 2023
A Centre-appointed three-member Commission of Inquiry was set up in June 2023, a month after the violence started, to investigate omissions and commissions that led to the conflict and to fix accountability.
Manipur conflict begins
May 2023
The ethnic conflict in Manipur begins in May 2023, evolving into a longer-running clash that has left over 270 people dead and thousands displaced.