NEW DELHI: At least 306 people have been killed, and 49 remain missing in ethnic violence that has gripped India’s northeastern Manipur state since May 2023, the state government told the Assembly on Thursday.
Manipur Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam gave the figures in response to a question from BJP legislator Sapam Ranjan Singh during the Assembly session. The figures cover the period up to August 31, 2026.
The violence erupted on May 3, 2023, after a “Tribal Solidarity March” was held in the hill districts to oppose demands by the Meitei community for Scheduled Tribe status.
The conflict has mainly pitted the Hindu Meitei community against the Christian Kuki community.
Meiteis account for about 53% of Manipur’s population and live largely in the Imphal Valley. Christian communities, including Kukis and Nagas, make up around 40% and live mainly in the surrounding hill districts.
The violence has displaced thousands of people and left communities divided along ethnic lines.
Human rights groups, civil society organisations and opposition parties have accused the BJP government in the centre of failing to respond adequately to the violence. They have also raised allegations of partisan policing and criticised the handling of attacks and large-scale looting of weapons.
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The state government under then Chief Minister N Biren Singh faced sustained criticism during the conflict. Singh resigned in February 2025 amid prolonged violence and mounting political pressure.
The Indian government imposed President’s Rule in Manipur on February 13, 2025, four days after Singh’s resignation. The state Assembly was placed under suspended animation.
President’s Rule was revoked on February 4, 2026. A new BJP-led government was subsequently formed under Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh.
Former chief minister Singh has also faced allegations over his handling of the conflict based in part on a leaked audio recording.
The recording, reportedly provided by a person who said it was made at an official premises associated with Singh, contains a voice believed to be that of the former chief minister discussing the use of bombs during the violence and claiming credit for starting operations.
In the recording, the chief minister says that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had instructed authorities to stop using bombs during a visit to Manipur. The speaker then says the use of bombs should continue covertly.
