Manipur violence : 24 killed, 85 FIRs registered as Naga-Kuki tensions spread across five hotspots

Manipur has recorded 24 deaths, 47 injuries and 85 FIRs between January and July 2026 as Naga-Kuki tensions spread across five identified hotspots, prompting extensive security operations. The official data emerged major law-and-order challenges after Naga-Kuki conflict in Manipur

During the six-month period, 24 people lost their lives, at least 47 were injured, and police registered around 85 FIRs as security agencies intensified operations across several districts.

According to data compiled by the Manipur administration and accessed by media, security forces also conducted more than 214 raids, made over 75 apprehensions, and carried out at least 19 arrests while responding to the unrest.

The figures suggest that the conflict has expanded beyond isolated incidents, with authorities identifying five major tension zones across the state.

Violence escalated after a relatively peaceful January

Official records indicate that January remained free of casualties. The first reported incident occurred in February in Ukhrul district, where one person was injured. The situation worsened significantly in March and April, before reaching its peak during May and June, when multiple districts reported fatalities and injuries. Although July witnessed only one reported injury, officials noted that violence had already spread across several hill districts by then. Senior officials handling the situation said that while some incidents involved individuals from the Naga and Kuki communities, not every case was directly linked to communal clashes.

Among the affected districts, Ukhrul witnessed the highest level of police action and remained the most consistently impacted area. According to the data, 46 FIRs were registered in Ukhrul, security personnel conducted more than 150 raids and authorities made over 42 apprehensions and more than 13 arrests. While Kangpokpi emerged as the second major hotspot, with violence reported continuously from March through July.

Police action in Kangpokpi included 23 FIRs, more than 35 raids, over 33 apprehensions, more than six arrests. Together, Ukhrul and Kangpokpi accounted for 69 of the 85 FIRs, underlining their central role in the conflict.

Violence spread to more districts

The unrest expanded beyond the two primary hotspots from May onwards. Official data tells that Tamenglong recorded one death and one injury in June, Kamjong reported two deaths in June while Churachandpur recorded one fatality during the same month.

Police also registered cases in Senapati, Imphal East and Imphal West, indicating that security operations extended to districts beyond those reporting casualties.

However, the security agencies have identified five key areas where tensions remain high in Ukhrul-Imphal Ukhrul Road, Kangpokpi-Imphal-Kohima Road, Villages along the Myanmar border in Kamjong, Border villages between Tamenglong and Kangpokpi and Border villages between Senapati and Kangpokpi

Officials said the concentration of violence along highways, district boundaries and border villages highlights the strategic importance of these areas from both security and connectivity perspectives.

Despite a decline in reported incidents during July, the overall figures indicate that the conflict expanded considerably during the first half of 2026, with authorities continuing security operations to prevent further escalation.