THE VIOLENCE that erupted in Manipur in May 2023 remains one of the most unfortunate and painful chapters in the state’s history.
After almost three years of continued unrest, another wave of violence erupted in Litan, Ukhrul district, from February 7 to 9, 2026, and soon spread to Kangpokpi, Senapati, and parts of Jiribam and Tamenglong. This renewed violence is deeply disturbing, as it threatens to draw more communities into an endless cycle of bloodshed. It appears to serve the vested interests of certain elites and people in positions of power seeking to create law-and-order problems in Manipur for their own benefit.
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The people of Kangpokpi and Senapati need to recognise this attempt. The truth is simple: the overwhelming majority of ordinary people on both sides do not want violence. Ninety-nine per cent of the people simply wish to live in peace — to protect their families, cultivate their land, educate their children, and earn an honest livelihood.
The painful reality cannot be ignored. While ordinary people lose their lives, homes, livelihoods and futures, certain powerful political and social elites appear to benefit from the continuation of hostility. They exploit the fears and grievances of communities for their own political and personal interests. The people must not fall prey to such divisive tactics. The question, therefore, is: who truly benefits from this prolonged conflict, and who is paying the price?
The cycle of retaliation has become increasingly dangerous. There are attempts to drag the major Naga tribes of Senapati and Tamenglong districts, as well as Kuki and other non-Kuki tribes of Kangpokpi district and elsewhere, into this conflict under duress. Innocent lives have been lost on both sides, among Nagas and Kukis. Each killing has deepened fear and mistrust. Each act of revenge has created a new grievance. Each attack has become a justification for the next. If this continues, no community will be spared.
One fundamental truth must be understood: no territorial gain can justify the loss of innocent human lives. Nagas may occupy a few acres of land belonging to a Kuki village, and Kukis may occupy a few acres of land belonging to a Naga village — but what is gained when innocent people are killed, families are shattered, and generations are left with hatred? No piece of land is worth the blood of an innocent person. No territorial claim, political ambition or community pride can justify the destruction of human lives.
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As Christians, people must also remember that their Heavenly Father is not pleased with the killing of His children. How can anyone pray for God’s blessings while allowing hatred, revenge and violence to consume their neighbours? Every human life is precious in the eyes of God, regardless of tribe, community or political affiliation. No one can claim to defend their people while destroying the lives of others. God does not wish for His children to suffer in this manner. Both communities will have to answer before God.
It is time for responsible leaders — civil society organisations, church leaders, tribal bodies and elected representatives — to rise above narrow community interests and political considerations. They must stop encouraging hostility, condemn violence without exception, and work together to prevent further attacks and loss of life.
It is a matter of deep concern that the response of Naga and Kuki MLAs has largely been limited to issuing statements of condemnation and condolences over the killings and village attacks, while the people they represent continue to live in fear. Such statements alone cannot protect villages, prevent further attacks or save innocent lives. The Naga and Kuki MLAs must, therefore, sit together for dialogue, rise above political and ethnic differences, and take collective responsibility for preventing further killings and village attacks — not to defend violence, but to defend human lives; not to perpetuate hatred, but to build peace; and not merely to mourn the dead, but to ensure that more innocent people do not die.
The people must recognise that continued violence will not bring lasting victory to either side. The Naga and Kuki MLAs must put an end to the war of words and stop using their respective civil society organisations (CSOs) to stage protests and issue defensive statements on their behalf. Instead of allowing political interests to prolong the conflict, they should demonstrate the courage to pursue peace, protect innocent villagers, and ensure that no village has to live in constant fear of another attack.
No amount of violence can change the reality that Kukis and Nagas will always remain neighbours in the same hills. No one truly wins in a conflict between communities that will remain neighbours. The dead cannot return, displaced families cannot recover their lost years, and the younger generation inherits the burden of a conflict it did not create.
This is not merely a moral obligation; it is also part of their constitutional responsibility as elected representatives. They cannot remain silent observers while the lives and security of their constituents are threatened. The people from Gamgiphai to Senapati will remain permanent neighbours in the hills of Manipur. Neither community can remove the other or achieve lasting peace through violence. The question is no longer whether they condemn the killings, but whether they will act together, with unity and responsibility, to help stop them.
The people do not need more enemies; they need peace. The land does not need more bloodshed; it needs reconciliation. Children deserve a future in which they inherit peace, not the hatred of their parents. Dialogue must be chosen over retaliation, humanity over hatred, and peace over political manipulation. There can be no real victory in a conflict in which every community mourns its dead.
It is time to say, together: Enough is enough. Peace must prevail over violence.
The author is an advocate of a distinct Thadou identity and a founding member and adviser to TSA-Bengaluru. Views expressed are personal. He can be reached at chungelmun@gmail.com.
