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Joint operations in districts such as Kangpokpi, Churachandpur and Imphal have resulted in the arrest of militants linked to PREPAK-PRO and KCP-PWG.
CRPF Director General Gyanendra Pratap Singh met Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla at Lok Bhavan and briefed him on the state’s security situation, ongoing law-and-order measures, inter-agency coordination, and efforts to protect lives and property.
Accompanied by senior officers, the CRPF chief held discussions with the Governor at a time when Manipur continues to face security challenges despite efforts to restore normalcy.
Manipur has been affected by ethnic violence since May 2023. The conflict initially broke out between the Meitei community in the Imphal Valley and Kuki-Zo tribes in the surrounding hill districts. Over the past three years, the violence has claimed more than 260 lives, displaced around 60,000 people, destroyed thousands of homes, and damaged several religious sites.
President’s Rule was imposed following the resignation of former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh in early 2025. A new elected government led by Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh took office in February 2026. However, fresh tensions involving Kuki and Naga groups have continued to challenge the fragile peace in the state.
The violence that began in 2023 was triggered by protests against demands for Scheduled Tribe status for the Meitei community. Long-standing disputes over land, resources, political representation, and allegations of majoritarianism further deepened divisions. Issues such as poppy cultivation, illegal immigration from Myanmar, and forest encroachments also contributed to the unrest.
The conflict led to widespread arson, ambushes, and civilian casualties. Buffer zones, checkpoints, and movement restrictions have since become a regular feature across several parts of the state.
In 2026, fresh incidents disrupted the relative calm seen under the new administration. On April 7, a rocket attack in Bishnupur district’s Tronglaobi village killed two young Meitei children and injured their mother. The incident sparked protests that later turned violent and led to clashes with security forces.
In May, attacks on Kuki church leaders in Kangpokpi district and a pre-dawn assault on Loibol Khullen village resulted in the deaths of three Kuki civilians, including a church secretary and his wife. Several houses were also set on fire. Kuki organisations blamed NSCN-IM and ZUF-K militant groups for the attacks.
At the same time, tensions increased following reports of Kuki men being held hostage by Naga groups and vice versa. The hostage issue has further strained relations between the two communities and added to the wider instability in the state.
As of early June 2026, groups including ANSAM have continued to hold rallies demanding the release of Naga hostages. Shutdowns and demands for investigations into recent incidents have also continued.
Security forces have carried out arrests, recovered weapons including AK rifles, grenades, and INSAS magazines, and destroyed poppy cultivation areas. Authorities have also seized narcotics, including yaba tablets worth crores, highlighting the role of the drug trade in fueling instability.
The CRPF remains one of the key central forces operating in Manipur alongside the Army, Assam Rifles, and state police. During his visit, DG Singh also met Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh and DGP Mukesh Singh, who was recently transferred from Ladakh.
On the third day of his Manipur visit on June 6, Singh interacted with CoBRA personnel, the CRPF’s elite jungle warfare units.
The Centre has recently approved the deployment of two additional CoBRA battalions; 207 from West Bengal and 210 from Assam to strengthen operations against armed groups. These units are trained for operations in difficult terrain and are expected to intensify action against insurgents while maintaining community sensitivity.
Discussions at Lok Bhavan focused on strengthening coordination among security agencies, addressing emerging threats from militant factions and ensuring public safety.
Governor Bhalla has been actively reviewing the security situation through a series of high-level meetings. Earlier, he presided over the 2026 Investiture Ceremony, where exemplary units from the CRPF, Army, Assam Rifles, and other forces were honoured.
Joint operations in districts such as Kangpokpi, Churachandpur and Imphal have resulted in the arrest of militants linked to groups including PREPAK-PRO and KCP-PWG.
Despite these efforts, major challenges remain. Deep ethnic mistrust, the spread of sophisticated weapons, including some produced locally, disputes over buffer zones, and competing demands for separate administrative arrangements and land protections continue to complicate the situation.
The government led by Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh includes Kuki-Zo representation, including a Deputy Chief Minister as part of efforts to bridge divisions. However, concerns and skepticism remain among affected communities.
Governor Bhalla and the security leadership have reiterated their commitment to peace, stability, and the protection of all citizens regardless of ethnicity. The briefing by the CRPF Director General reflects continued support from the Centre under the focus on “Mission Peaceful Manipur.”
As Manipur enters its fourth year of unrest, the success of peace efforts will depend on transparent investigations into recent killings, resolution of hostage situations, economic recovery for displaced families, and sustained dialogue among communities.
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