On 3 May 2023 the All Tribal Students' Union Manipur (ATSUM) held a "Tribal Solidarity March" in Manipur's hill districts against the Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status. Clashes broke out at Torbung in Churachandpur district that afternoon and spread to Imphal, Moreh and other districts within a day, setting Meiteis against Kuki-Zo tribes. By 31 August 2026 the state government counted 306 dead and 49 missing. Chief Minister N Biren Singh resigned in February 2025, and the state was under President's Rule until February 2026.
Key takeaways
- Violence began on 3 May 2023 during ATSUM's march against Meitei ST status, which a 27 March High Court direction had revived. The court deleted that direction on 21 February 2024.
- Official death tolls rose from 60 (8 May 2023) to 142 (July 2023), 260 (April 2025) and 306 (31 August 2026).
- Curfew, Army deployment and a seven-month mobile internet ban followed; police say over 6,000 firearms were looted.
- Kuki-Zo groups seek a separate administration; Meitei groups and the state government insist on territorial integrity.
- Biren Singh resigned on 9 February 2025; President's Rule lasted until 4 February 2026.
Background: the ST order and the march
Meiteis make up about 53 per cent of Manipur's population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley. Nagas and Kukis make up about 40 per cent and live mainly in the hill districts Tribune/PTI.
The Scheduled Tribe Demand Committee of Manipur (STDCM) has sought ST status for Meiteis for more than a decade. It says the demand is about "protecting the ancestral lands, culture and identity of the Meitei people", which it says are threatened by illegal immigration. Meiteis also say they cannot settle in the hill areas under existing law Outlook. Tribal groups, led by ATSUM, opposed the demand.
On 27 March 2023 Acting Chief Justice M.V. Muralidharan of the Manipur High Court, hearing a petition by the Meitei Tribe Union, directed the state in paragraph 17(iii) to "consider the case of the petitioners for inclusion of the Meetei/Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribe list" LiveLaw.
Tension was already high. Some Kukis saw a forest eviction drive as targeting them, and in late April protesters attacked a Churachandpur venue the Chief Minister was due to inaugurate Newslaundry.
3 May: the march and the first clashes
Thousands marched in Churachandpur Tribune/PTI Newslaundry. Clashes broke out at Torbung, and police fired tear gas. Youths gathered at Canchipur and Soibam Leikai in the valley "calling for retaliation", a police officer said Tribune/PTI.
How it began is disputed. Claim · Kuki groups Kuki groups say Meitei miscreants burnt the Anglo-Kuki war centenary gate at Leisang around 2.30 pm. Claim · Forest dept FIRs Forest department FIRs seen by Newslaundry record a forest beat office being vandalised at 10.30 am, before the rally began, and nine such offices hit by night; police said the attackers were from the Kuki community. After 3 pm clashes erupted at Torbung Bangla and Kangvai on the Churachandpur and Bishnupur border, with reports that Meitei houses were being torched Newslaundry.
By evening the violence had reached Imphal, fuelled by a rumour about a Meitei nurse. A police report later said Meitei mobs targeted the "Zou-Kuki community in retaliation in some valley areas". Kuki students were attacked on the Manipur University campus that night and rescued by the Assam Rifles. About 19 people died on 3 May, 18 of them Kuki-Zo, and the highest number of deaths that day was in Imphal Newslaundry.
Imphal, Churachandpur, Moreh and elsewhere
According to official data compiled by Newslaundry, 69 people were killed between 3 and 5 May, 61 of them Kukis. On 4 May, 35 died, including 33 Kuki-Zo, most of them in Imphal. In Churachandpur, three Meitei labourers trying to return to Imphal were abducted and killed Newslaundry.
Police said they could not reach every place. By the fourth week the pattern had changed: of 23 deaths between 22 and 28 May, 15 were Meiteis, and gunfights had begun along the foothills Newslaundry. The state's status report said violence spread to 10 districts Newslaundry. On 8 May the Chief Minister said 1,700 houses had been destroyed Eastern Mirror.
An IPS officer named Moreh, on the Myanmar border, among the places where violence started Newslaundry; in 2024 it spread to new areas including Moreh and Jiribam Scroll. Later episodes are covered on separate pages: the July 2023 protests over the 4 May video, the September 2023 Imphal student protests, the February 2024 Churachandpur SP office attack, the November 2024 Jiribam killings, the June 2025 Arambai Tenggol arrest protests and the April 2026 protests.
Army, curfew and the internet shutdown
The Army and Assam Rifles were requisitioned on the night of 3 May. Curfew was imposed in Imphal West, Kakching, Thoubal, Jiribam, Bishnupur, Churachandpur, Kangpokpi and Tengnoupal, and mobile internet was suspended statewide for five days Tribune/PTI.
On 4 May the Governor authorised magistrates to issue "Shoot at Sight" orders "in extreme cases whereby all forms of persuasion, warning, reasonable force, etc. had been exhausted" Morung Express. On 8 May the Chief Minister said 50 companies of central armed police, 105 Army and Assam Rifles columns and 30,000 state police were deployed Eastern Mirror.
The mobile internet ban was extended repeatedly on "public order" grounds for more than 200 days. The High Court ordered towers restored in unaffected district headquarters on 6 November MediaNama. On 3 December 2023 the state lifted the suspension except within 2 km of district borders, citing an improving situation Morung Express/PTI Internet Society.
Deaths and displacement over time
Reported deaths since 3 May 2023
- 8 May 2023: Chief Minister N Biren Singh said at least 60 were killed and that 35,655 people had been moved to safe locations Eastern Mirror.
- 2 June 2023: The Chief Minister's Office said 98 were dead, 310 injured and 37,450 people were in 272 relief camps Tribune/PTI.
- 10 July 2023: The state's status report to the Supreme Court gave 142 deaths, 5,995 FIRs and over 54,000 people in relief camps SC Observer.
- 5 August 2023: Official data put the toll at 187: 118 Kukis, 64 Meiteis, one Naga, one Nepali, two central police personnel and one unidentified person Newslaundry. The News Minute gave 115 Kukis, 65 Meiteis and about 60,000 displaced The News Minute.
- 31 December 2024: Singh said "roughly 200 people have died"; Scroll's count was at least 258 dead and more than 59,000 displaced Scroll.
- 3 April 2025: Amit Shah told the Lok Sabha 260 had died and "80 per cent of them lost their lives within the first month" Deccan Herald/PTI.
- April 2026: An RTI reply from the state Home Department said 58,821 people were displaced up to 30 March 2026, 174 relief camps remained, and deaths stood at "217 people as per ex gratia given to NoK" ETV Bharat.
- 31 August 2026: State Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam told the Assembly that "306 people have died, and 49 people are still missing" Daily Pioneer/PTI OdishaBytes/PTI.
The looted police weapons
Police records up to June 2023 showed more than 4,000 weapons looted from state armouries, mostly in the valley, according to Newslaundry. A police inspector described a mob of more than 3,000 looting the Manipur Police training college armoury at Pangei on 4 May; another armoury, of the 2nd India Reserve Battalion in Bishnupur, was looted on 3 August Newslaundry.
Estimates later rose to over 6,000 arms and about six lakh rounds. After Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla's amnesty deadline on 6 March 2025, about 3,000 weapons had been handed in, mostly country-made Tribune. In July 2025 police said more than 3,000 looted firearms had been recovered, over 1,500 of them under President's Rule Tribune/PTI.
The buffer zones
Central forces, mainly the Assam Rifles, set up barricaded "buffer zones" between valley districts such as Bishnupur and hill districts such as Churachandpur, saying they were needed to prevent further escalation Deccan Herald. In August 2023 Amit Shah told the Lok Sabha that over 36,000 security personnel were stationed "between the Kukis and the Meiteis as a buffer zone" Deccan Chronicle.
On 6 September 2023 thousands of Meiteis, answering a call by the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), defied curfew to march to the barricade at Phougakchao Ikhai, seeking to resettle displaced Meiteis beyond it. Security forces fired tear gas and rubber bullets and several were hurt Deccan Herald. Meira Paibi leaders called the zones "unconstitutional" Deccan Herald. In September 2025 the Kuki National Organisation and United People's Front said the "sanctity" of the buffer zones was "paramount" Tribune.
Timeline
High Court direction
The High Court directs the state to consider Meitei inclusion in the ST list LiveLaw.
Tribal Solidarity March
Clashes at Torbung; Army called in; curfew in eight districts; mobile internet cut Tribune/PTI.
Shah's measures
Amit Shah announces a judicial inquiry, CBI probes into six cases, a peace committee and Rs 10 lakh ex gratia Tribune.
Supreme Court oversight
Court forms the Gita Mittal committee and appoints Dattatray Padsalgikar to oversee the CBI SC Observer.
Biren Singh resigns
He resigns a day before a planned no-confidence motion Scroll.
What each side wants
Kuki-Zo position
On 12 May 2023, ten Kuki-Zo MLAs, including two ministers, sought "a separate administration under the Indian Constitution", saying the state had failed to protect them Borderlens. In August 2023 they asked the Prime Minister for a separate chief secretary and DGP for five hill districts, accusing the Chief Minister of continuing to wage war against Kuki-Zo hill tribals Scroll. The demand became a Union Territory with a legislature under Article 239A, pressed by the Indigenous Tribal Leaders' Forum (ITLF) in July 2024 and by the Kuki-Zo Council in February 2025 NE Now Morung Express/IANS.
Meitei position
Meitei groups oppose any division of Manipur. At the end of July 2023, COCOMI led thousands from five valley districts through Imphal for the state's "territorial integrity", with slogans against the separate administration demand and against "illegal immigrants from Myanmar" Tribune. In September 2025 the Meitei Heritage Society criticised a Home Ministry statement on reopening National Highway 2, saying it suggested that a private organisation, not the Indian State, could open or close highways Tribune.
The state and central governments
Government's position In a video message after the first day, Biren Singh said the incidents were due to "misunderstanding between the communities" Morung Express. On 15 May he rejected the MLAs' demand: "the territorial integrity of Manipur will be protected at all costs" Orissa Post/PTI. On 31 December 2024 he said: "I feel regret and I want to say sorry to the people of the state" Scroll.
Kuki-Zo-Hmar groups alleged his response was partisan Scroll. Claim · KOHUR A Kuki rights trust told the Supreme Court that leaked audio showed him admitting he let Meitei groups loot armouries; the state called the petitioner "separatist" SabrangIndia. In August 2026 a second National Forensic Sciences University report found the clips "altered", making authentication impossible; the petitioner disputes this LiveLaw.
Government's position On 1 June 2023 Amit Shah promised "an impartial and fair probe" and announced an inter-agency unified command Tribune. In August 2023 he refused to replace Singh because he was "cooperating", linked the unrest to Kuki refugees arriving from Myanmar after 2021, and told both communities: "We do not wish to change the demography" Deccan Chronicle. On 4 September 2025 the Centre renewed the Suspension of Operations pact with Kuki-Zo groups under revised rules. Prime Minister Narendra Modi made his first visit since the violence on 13 September 2025, to Churachandpur and Imphal Scroll Onmanorama/PTI.
The courts
A Supreme Court bench led by CJI DY Chandrachud took strong exception to the ST direction but did not stay it, as an appeal was pending LiveLaw. On 1 August 2023 it said: "There was a complete breakdown of law and order machinery of the state" Morung Express/IANS.
On 7 August 2023 it formed a committee of three former High Court judges, headed by Justice Gita Mittal with Justices Shalini Joshi and Asha Menon, to oversee relief, rehabilitation, compensation and restoration of homes and places of worship. It added outside officers to the CBI and the state's 42 SITs SC Observer Bar and Bench.
On 21 February 2024 Justice Golmei Gaiphulshillu, on a review sought by the original Meitei petitioners, deleted paragraph 17(iii) as "against the observation made in the Constitution Bench" LiveLaw. On 17 September 2026, acting on a Mittal committee report, the Supreme Court sought explanations for 25 unnatural deaths in relief camps and compensation of only Rs 20,000 to 30,000 LiveLaw.
Outcome and where things stand
- Cases: 6,523 FIRs by the end of July 2023 SC Observer; about 12,247 FIRs and 625 arrests by December 2024, per Biren Singh Scroll.
- Resignation: Biren Singh resigned on 9 February 2025, writing "It has been an honour to serve the people of Manipur thus far" Business Today.
- President's Rule: Imposed on 13 February 2025 Outlook/PTI, extended by Parliament in August 2025 Scroll and revoked from 4 February 2026 Eastern Mirror/PTI.
- New government: Y Khemchand Singh became Chief Minister, with Kuki BJP MLA Nemcha Kipgen and Naga People's Front MLA L Dikho as deputy chief ministers Hitavada.
- Still pending: The separate administration demand, return of the displaced, unrecovered weapons and the relief camp deaths case.
Questions people ask
What started the Manipur violence in May 2023?
Clashes broke out on 3 May 2023 during ATSUM's Tribal Solidarity March against the Meitei demand for ST status. Kuki groups and police records give different accounts of the first incidents.
How many people have died in the Manipur violence?
The state Home Minister told the Assembly that 306 people had died and 49 were missing as of 31 August 2026.
How many people were displaced?
The state Home Department said 58,821 people were displaced up to 30 March 2026, with 174 relief camps still open.
What is the Gita Mittal committee?
A committee of three former High Court judges set up by the Supreme Court on 7 August 2023 to oversee relief, rehabilitation and compensation.
Did the High Court withdraw the Meitei ST order?
On 21 February 2024 it deleted the paragraph directing the state to consider Meitei inclusion in the ST list.
Sources
- LiveLaw: Manipur High Court deletes earlier direction to consider inclusion of Meiteis in ST list, 21 Feb 2024
- Outlook: Explained, why is Manipur burning?, May 2023
- Newslaundry: Tracing the sparks behind Manipur's ring of fire, 15 Sept 2023
- Tribune/PTI: Army deployed, 4,000 people shifted, internet cut, curfew imposed, 4 May 2023
- Morung Express: Manipur Govt authorises shoot at sight orders, May 2023
- Eastern Mirror: 60 killed, 230 injured, 1700 houses destroyed, 9 May 2023
- Borderlens: Kuki MLAs demand separate administration, 13 May 2023
- Orissa Post/PTI: Manipur CM rejects demand for separate administration, 15 May 2023
- Tribune: Centre to set up panel under retired High Court chief justice, 1 June 2023
- Tribune/PTI: 98 killed, 310 injured in Manipur ethnic violence, 3 June 2023
- Supreme Court Observer: Status report filed by the Manipur government, July 2023
- Tribune: Outfit takes out rally in Imphal against self-governance demand, 30 July 2023
- Morung Express/IANS: There is no law and order left, Supreme Court on Manipur, 1 Aug 2023
- The News Minute: Death toll reaches 187, 5 Aug 2023
- Supreme Court Observer: Supreme Court sets up oversight mechanisms in Manipur, 7 Aug 2023
- Bar and Bench: Supreme Court constitutes all-women judicial committee, 7 Aug 2023
- Deccan Chronicle: Shameful to politicise Manipur, says Shah, 9 Aug 2023
- Scroll: All Kuki MLAs demand separate administrative posts, 17 Aug 2023
- Deccan Herald: Several injured as Meitei crowd try to remove buffer zone barricade, 6 Sept 2023
- Deccan Herald: Meira Paibis call buffer zones unconstitutional, 14 Sept 2023
- MediaNama: After 200+ days, Manipur restores mobile internet in more areas, 4 Dec 2023
- Morung Express/PTI: Manipur govt lifts ban on mobile internet, 3 Dec 2023
- Internet Society Pulse: Internet shutdown lifted, restrictions persist, Dec 2023
- NE Now: ITLF reiterates demand for Union Territory, 13 July 2024
- Scroll: Biren Singh apologises for violence, 31 Dec 2024
- SabrangIndia: Supreme Court seeks forensic report on audio recordings, Feb 2025
- Business Today: Biren Singh resigns as Manipur chief minister, 9 Feb 2025
- Outlook/PTI: President's Rule imposed in Manipur, 13 Feb 2025
- Morung Express/IANS: Kuki-Zo Council reiterates Union Territory demand, 25 Feb 2025
- Tribune: 6K arms looted, but only 3,000 surrendered, 7 Mar 2025
- Deccan Herald/PTI: Lok Sabha confirms imposition of President's Rule, 3 Apr 2025
- Tribune/PTI: 90 firearms seized from five valley districts, 26 July 2025
- Scroll: Parliament extends President's Rule by six months, Aug 2025
- Tribune: Kukis say buffer zone sanctity paramount, 7 Sept 2025
- Scroll: PM Modi to visit Manipur for first time since clashes, 12 Sept 2025
- Onmanorama/PTI: PM Modi reaches Manipur, 13 Sept 2025
- Eastern Mirror/PTI: President's Rule revoked in Manipur, 4 Feb 2026
- Hitavada: Khemchand Singh is Manipur's new CM, 5 Feb 2026
- ETV Bharat: Over 58,800 people displaced since May 2023, 22 Apr 2026
- LiveLaw: Biren Singh audio clips manipulated, says NFSU analysis, 7 Aug 2026
- Daily Pioneer/PTI: Death toll rises to 306, 49 still missing, Sept 2026
- OdishaBytes/PTI: 306 killed, 49 missing since May 2023, Sept 2026
- LiveLaw: Supreme Court expresses shock over unnatural deaths in relief camps, 17 Sept 2026