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Three years on, Manipur remains on edge: What's behind the latest unrest?
Manipur has remained tense since 2023 after a high court order sparked ethnic violence between the Meiti and Kuki communities. The latest unrest began with a fatal incident on April 7, 2026, leading to violence, a security clampdown, and disruption of communications. The situation has seen partial quiet in 2025 but remains fragile.
Why It Matters
The ongoing unrest affects security, governance, and minority rights in Manipur and has broader implications for stability in India's northeast.
Timeline
5 Events
April 7, 2026: Internet snapped and curfew imposed
April 7, 2026
Internet services were snapped and curfews were imposed in some districts as security actions intensified in response to the unrest.
April 7, 2026: Protesters storm CRPF camp; casualties reported
April 7, 2026
Later on April 7, protesters stormed a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) camp, vandalised it, and set vehicles on fire. Security forces allegedly opened fire, killing three people and injuring more than two dozen.
April 7, 2026: Suspected rocket strike kills two children
April 7, 2026
In the early hours of April 7, a suspected rocket strike on a house killed a five-year-old boy and his six-month-old sister, triggering further tensions.
2025: Violence reports decrease after three years of unrest
2025
Reports of violence in Manipur decreased in 2025 after three years of unrest that began in May 2023.
May 2023: Manipur high court order grants Meiti community benefits
May 2023
A Manipur high court order in May 2023 granted the Meiti community certain benefits, including land ownership in protected areas and quotas in government jobs; the order is described as now-revoked.