Manipur: The Congress has accused the Union Government of failing to end the violence in Manipur that began in early 2023, and demanded the resignation of the chief minister, Yumnam Khemchand Singh.Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, Congress MP Saptagiri Ulaka said the violence in Manipur has escalated to a state-wide issue. "It is no longer an ethnic conflict; it is no longer one group against another. The whole state is burning, and the governments in the state and the Centre are solely responsible for this," Ulaka said.According to the Congress leader, thousands of residents from 'five districts' were detained and lathi-charged for protesting on October 23, 2026.The opposition party said around 300 people have been killed in the violence, while at least 60,000 have been displaced.Ulaka urged the Union Government to come up with a plan to end the violence and set up a time-bound roadmap for peace and rehabilitation.
On October 20, 2026, Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen issued a statement condemning acts of violence in the Kangpokpi district. Kipgen urged all communities to 'exercise restraint and refrain from actions that could escalate tensions or endanger innocent lives'.Kipgen had issued similar letters of condemnation on October 15, 17 and 19 as well, following reports of violence in other villages.The latest incident reportedly involved the killing of three people who were allegedly collecting firewood.In early September, the state's Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam said in the state assembly that at least 306 people have died and 49 remain missing since the start of the violence in May 2023.In February 2026, President's Rule that had been imposed in the state exactly a year ago was revoked.Soon after, Khemchand Singh was sworn in as the Chief Minister. His predecessor, Biren Singh, had resigned the previous year, resulting in the state coming under President's Rule.
On May 3, 2023, ethnic violence broke out in part of Manipur between the Kuki and Meitei communities. In April, the Manipur High Court had directed the state government to consider the Meitei community's request for a Scheduled Tribe status, which was opposed by tribal organisations.According to various media reports, several homes, establishments and places of worship were burned down or destroyed in the following weeks, leaving thousands displaced.A video of two Kuki women stripped and paraded naked by a mob went viral. The video sparked nationwide outrage.By May 6, more than 50 people lost their lives in the violence. The conflicts continued throughout 2024. In November 2024, authorities recovered bodies of three women and three children, sparking a fresh wave of violence in the state.The Supreme Court continued scrutinising criminal investigations and the survivors' access to justice and rehabilitation.