Kuki-Naga Clashes in Manipur Kill Over 12, Kidnap Dozens as Territorial Disputes Spread Violence
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · May 26
Kuki-Naga Clashes in Manipur Kill Over 12, Kidnap Dozens as Territorial Disputes Spread Violence
2 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 26
More than a dozen people have been killed and dozens kidnapped in recent Kuki-Naga clashes in Manipur, widening the state's ethnic conflict beyond the long-running Meitei-Kuki front.
Territorial disputes over residence rights and control of hill areas drove the latest violence, including a May 13 ambush that killed three Kuki church leaders.
The new fighting has hit a state already split into ethnic enclaves, with Meiteis concentrated around Imphal and Kukis in the hills behind hardened battle lines.
Hundreds were killed in Meitei-Kuki clashes that erupted in May 2023, and tens of thousands remain displaced despite the deployment of Indian paramilitary forces.
In Manipur's hills, why are former allies now locked in a deadly new conflict?
With 12,000 unresolved cases and a flood of weapons, who profits from Manipur's chaos?
Is Manipur's escalating ethnic war a smokescreen for a multimillion-dollar narcotics trade?
Ethnic Violence in Manipur (2023–2026): 260+ Dead, 60,000 Displaced, and a Deepening Humanitarian Crisis
Overview
Manipur has faced severe turmoil for three years, with the crisis intensifying in May 2026 after three Thadou church leaders were killed in Kangpokpi district. This tragedy triggered a wave of unrest, leading to a hostage standoff and a 48-hour total shutdown called by Kuki-Zo organizations, which paralyzed daily life and sparked strong protests. The situation exposed a deep governance crisis, as Kuki groups demanded President’s rule. These events are part of a broader pattern of violence involving multiple communities, highlighting the region’s escalating instability and the urgent need for effective intervention and reconciliation.