The delicate peace of Manipur hangs by a thread, as recent provocations signal the potential emergence of a dangerous tri-party conflict beyond the longstanding Kuki-Meitei divide. At the heart of this brewing crisis lies a disregard for the cultural heritage and rights of the indigenous Naga people. The recent actions of the Kangpokpi-based Kuki organization, CoTU, during the revered “Chaga Ngee” festival of the Liangmai Naga tribe, exemplify this growing tension. CoTU’s threats against our distinguished guest, Chief Minister Biren Singh, were not only a brazen attempt to disrupt a treasured cultural event but also an affront aimed at undermining the presence and dignity of the Liangmai Naga community—a community on whose ancestral lands the Kukis in Kangpokpi district reside.
These provocations are intensified by the ongoing extortion campaigns orchestrated by illegal Kuki underground factions stationed along National Highway 2. These groups have escalated their operations, openly targeted not only travelers but also impoverished Naga women from Senapati district. Many of these women, daily wage earners striving hard to make a modest living by selling vegetables, have repeatedly been harassed and extorted by KNF and KRA cadres stationed along routes in Sapormeina and Kangpokpi. For nearly 18 months, the Naga community has borne the brunt of such hostilities, choosing patience and restraint over retaliation. Compounding this strain is a troubling pattern of harassment from Imphal-based organizations, particularly Arambai Tenggol, alongside other underground groups from the Imphal Valley. While the Naga community has endeavoured to maintain neutrality amidst the turmoil between Kuki and Meitei factions, the resulting frustrations and hostilities from both sides are increasingly being redirected towards the Naga people.
Over the past few months, incidents of aggression have become more frequent and severe. The latest incident involved two youths from Senapati district being brutally assaulted in a ruthless attempt at murder and extortion by Imphal based thugs, reportedly in collusion with Meitei underground groups. In another distressing incident, a young railway driver from the Rongmei tribe in Noney District was savagely assaulted by members of Arambai Tenggol. These attacks strike not just at individuals but at the very core of the Naga community’s sense of security, dignity, and identity.
The Naga people have maintained neutrality for months, hoping it would preserve the fragile peace. Yet the cumulative provocations and violations now risk eroding this stance. For many in the hill areas, especially the Naga communities, the situation is reaching a breaking point. The persistence of such hostilities has left many Nagas feeling profoundly alienated, increasingly convinced that our voices and concerns are disregarded by both the state government and the warring factions.
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The Manipur government’s neglect has long fuelled discontent, with policies that clearly favour the valley districts over the hill areas, especially the Naga communities —deepening the divide and fostering a sense of systemic discrimination. The recent promotion of 13 Manipur Police Service (MPS) officers, all from the Imphal valley, to the Indian Police Service (IPS) starkly highlights this unequal representation in positions of authority, with no officers from the hill areas included. This decision not only disregards and humiliates other qualified senior officers from tribal communities but also undermines the diversity and representation of other communities within the Manipur Police. Such biased policies reinforce the perception of a system that fails to prioritize inclusivity and fairness. The police apparatus must maintain neutrality and the rule of law.
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Moreover, the allocation of 57 road projects, worth around ₹400 crore, exclusively to valley districts under the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF) is yet another glaring example of imbalance. These projects aim to improve infrastructure, yet their concentration in the valley neglects the pressing developmental needs of the Naga hill areas, which suffer from poor connectivity and underdevelopment. For the Naga hill people, this neglect signifies not only stalled progress but also a lack of respect for our cultural identity, socioeconomic needs, and rightful place in the state’s governance. Such selective policies intensify discontent and widen the rift between hill and valley communities. Instead of bridging this divide, the government’s actions are deepening it, cultivating a sense of “otherness” and leaving the hill people feeling increasingly excluded from development.
The escalating crisis calls for urgent and thoughtful intervention. The Manipur government must reassess its approach and adopt inclusive policies that bridge this growing divide. A commitment to equity and fair distribution of resources is essential to foster trust and unity. Meaningful dialogue with representatives from the Naga areas would pave the way for a balanced, harmonious relationship between the valley and hill communities. Only then can Manipur aspire to a future where all its citizens feel valued and respected. Ensuring greater administrative and financial autonomy to the hills is a prerequisite for durable peace and stability. Without immediate intervention from the government to address this escalating crisis, there is a real risk of a collapse in law and order and the crisis spiralling into potentially sparking a tri-party civil war in Manipur. For the sake of peace and stability in the region, it is imperative that steps are taken to prevent this impending conflict from boiling over into open confrontation. The future of Manipur depends on swift, effective, and just action to restore harmony among its communities.
The author is a freelance writer, and can be reached at liangmai367@gmail.com. Views are personal.
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