Why After 1146 Days Manipur Still Burning With 3 Dead And Has Modi Ignored Manipur
The northeastern state of Manipur has reached a grim milestone of 1146 days of continuous ethnic conflict since violence first erupted on May 3 2023. Despite more than three years passing since the initial clashes between the Meitei and Kuki Zo communities the state remains caught in a destructive cycle of instability. A fresh wave of violence recently shook Loibol Khullen village in Kangpokpi district where an early morning attack by armed groups resulted in 3 civilians being killed and 7 family homes completely torched to the ground. The deceased individuals were identified as local villagers including a married couple who were caught in the crossfire of escalating regional tensions. This tragic incident underscores how civilian populations continue to pay the ultimate price while the state administration struggles to restore basic law and order.
The persistent unrest has triggered sharp political criticism across India regarding the role of the central government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. For over three years critics and opposition leaders have pointed out that the Prime Minister has avoided visiting the strife torn state or addressing the deeper core issues in a comprehensive public forum. While the Home Ministry has extended inquiry commissions until late 2026 and deployed thousands of central security forces the lack of direct high level political engagement has led to widespread accusations that New Delhi is ignoring the deep suffering of the regional population. Local civil society groups express growing frustration that tactical security operations are used as a temporary bandage while the structural breakdown of governance is left completely unaddressed by national leaders.
A closer look at the ongoing ground reality reveals a severe lack of trust between ethnic groups and the state machinery which complicates any potential peace process. Every security action or combing operation is immediately viewed with suspicion by one community or another leading to frequent highway blockades and spontaneous demonstrations that paralyze essential supply chains. The recent deployment of joint columns involving the Army and the Assam Rifles has led to heavy confrontations with village volunteers who claim they are only defending their ancestral lands from external insurgent groups. This intense militarization without a parallel political dialogue has effectively divided the state along deep geographical and ethnic lines making the presence of the government seem highly biased and ineffective at fostering true reconciliation.
Ultimately the situation in Manipur demonstrates that an long standing crisis cannot be solved purely through security force deployments or bureaucratic extensions. The transition of local governance under Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh in early 2026 was expected to bring a fresh perspective but the underlying territorial and political anxieties remain completely active. For normalcy to return the central administration must move beyond tactical silence and initiate an inclusive dialogue that treats all aggrieved communities with equal dignity and protection. Until a transparent neutral peace mechanism is established by the highest offices of the country the state will continue to face tragic civilian losses and remain a highly volatile zone within the nation.