20/03/2026
๐๐ก๐ฒ ๐๐ซ๐ ๐๐๐ง๐ ๐ค๐ก๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ข๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ข๐ญ๐๐ข๐ฌ ๐ข๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ค๐ขโ๐๐๐ข๐ญ๐๐ข ๐๐จ๐ง๐๐ฅ๐ข๐๐ญ?
The KukiโMeitei conflict in Manipur is approaching three years. Although there was a period of relative calm for a few months, the situation now appears to be shifting, with reports of active participation by Tangkhuls alongside the Meiteis. However, this is not entirely a recent development. Tangkhuls and Meiteis held a โbrotherhood meetingโ sometime in 2023.
During the conflict, it has been alleged that Tangkhuls facilitated the entry of Meitei underground groups (UGs) from Myanmar, and that their areas served as safe havens for these groups. The killing of four Kukis in Ukhrul district by Meiteis was also reportedly aided by a lesser-known Tangkhul underground group. In 2025, two Kuki villages in Kamjong district were burned by a faction of NSCN-IM. The Kukis did not retaliate, viewing it as a possible attempt to provoke a two-front conflict.
Subsequently, NSCN-IM is said to have pushed the Zeliangrong United Front (Kamson faction) to initiate hostilities against the Kukis. However, the Zeliangrong public reportedly recognized this as a trap and did not support it. The Kuki side also refrained from retaliation despite provocations. More recently, tensions have escalated in the UkhrulโKamjong region.
In February 2026, tensions surfaced in Litan. A group of intoxicated Tangkhuls allegedly created a disturbance in a Kuki village where both communities reside. This led to a scuffle, during which a Tangkhul individual was beaten. The following day, Tangkhuls allegedly burned Kuki houses, prompting retaliatory burning from the Kuki side. The situation remained tense for several weeks.
While the Litan issue remained unresolved, Tangkhul underground groups reportedly kidnapped three Kukis and fired at farmers. In retaliation, Kukis abducted 18 Tangkhuls who were traveling through a Kuki village. Urgent efforts were then initiated by the district administration and church leaders to secure the safe release of hostages from both sides. The Kukis released all 18 Tangkhul hostages; however, only one of the three Kuki captives was released, while the other two were reportedly killed.
Since then, the border areas of Kangpokpi and Ukhrul have witnessed sporadic firing. The latest incident was reported on 19 March 2026, with injuries on both sides. On the morning of 20 March, large numbers of Meiteis were reportedly seen moving toward affected areas near Changsang, allegedly to attack Kukis. There are also reports suggesting coordination between Meiteis and Tangkhuls. Meanwhile, in the Indo-Myanmar border village of Chatric, where Tangkhuls reside, cadres from NSCN-IM, the Meitei UG group PLA, and the Shani National Army of Myanmar are reportedly camping together. Local women have been blocking Assam Rifles from entering the village.
What then is the Tangkhul objective? One perspective suggests that, with Kukis having abandoned several villages in the Imphal periphery areas where Tangkhuls also reside this presents an opportunity to occupy those lands. Additionally, although Ukhrul and Kamjong are Tangkhul-majority districts, there are numerous Kuki villages in these regions. Historically, the Kuki chief of Chassad is said to have exercised authority over certain Tangkhul areas. Although Chassad was once a center of power, Ukhrul later became a subdivision following the Kuki Uprising and the entry of British administration into the Manipur hills around 1920, partly due to concerns over Kuki resistance. Furthermore, parts of present-day North Ukhrul were once under the control of Chengjapao Doungel; after his imprisonment following the Kuki Uprising, these areas were incorporated into Manipur in 1924.
From this perspective, some argue that there is an attempt to reshape or erase this historical context by removing Kuki presence from the UkhrulโKamjong region.
If it was expected that the popular government in Manipur would bring peace, the situation instead appears to have grown more complex, and a lasting resolution still seems distant.
