India’s Manipur : Living under the shadow of violence
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Chingthang Nambam
India’s vision of becoming a developed nation with a strong economy continues to make significant pro-gress. Experts, intellectuals, academicians, and strategic analysts increasingly describe India as an emerging middle power with expanding diplomatic, economic, and security partnerships across the world. Initiatives such as the ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, the ‘Act East’ policy, and efforts to promote a free, open, and secure Indian Ocean demonstrate India’s growing regional and global influence.
India has also demonstrated its capability to respond decisively during security crises and humanitarian emergencies. Opera- tion Sindoor showcased India’s determination to respond to cross-border terrorism. Operation Ganga in 2022 successfully evacuated thousands of Indian Nationals from Ukraine, while Operation Sindhu reflected India’s rapid response in evacuating Indian citizens from Iran and Israel. These examples illustrate India’s growing capacity and international standing.
Against this backdrop, one question continues to trouble many observers: Why has the cycle of violence in Manipur, which began in 2023, continued for so long ? Why has the system been unable to completely stop or contain the violence and ensure timely justice for all victims ? Are the people of Manipur receiving the same level of National attention and urgency that would be expected elsewhere in the country ? Every human life matters equally.
India’s policy on terrorism emphasizes zero tole- rance toward acts of terrorism. Following the Pahal- gam terror attack, India’s response through Operation Sindoor reinforced this policy. In Manipur, however, there have been numerous reported incidents involving the killing of civilians, including women and children, abductions, hostage-taking, alleged mutilation of bodies, drone attacks, and sniper attacks. Media reports have documented incidents such as the Jiribam killings, the Koutruk drone bombing, the TM Kasom sniper attack, and the reported killing of six Naga men after they were allegedly taken hostage. These incidents have caused widespread fear among civilians and have deepened concerns about security, accountability, and justice. Many victims are citizens of India, yet many families continue to wait for justice.
The prolonged violence has created an atmosphere in which many people feel they are living under the constant shadow of fear and uncertainty.
Recognizing the seriousness of the situation, the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India took suo motu cognizance after a video showing the public parading of two women went viral. On 7 August 2023, the Court constituted a High-Level Committee headed by former Chief Justice Gita Mittal to oversee relief and rehabilitation measures for internally displaced persons (IDPs), restoration of homes and livelihoods, compensation for victims, and the provision of medical and psychological support.
The Supreme Court also directed that investigations into violence-related cases be monitored by a committee headed by former Maharashtra Director General of Police Dattatray Padsalgikar to strengthen oversight of the investigative process.
Separately, the Government of India, through the Ministry of Home Affairs, constituted the Justice Ajai Lamba Commission of Inquiry on 4 June 2023 under the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952. The Commission was tasked with examining the causes and spread of the violence from 3 May 2023 onwards, reconstructing the sequence of events, identifying any lapses by public authorities or individuals, and recommending measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. In February 2026, Justice Ajai Lamba resigned as Chairperson, and Justice Balbir Singh Chauhan was appointed to lead the Commission. The Commission’s tenure has been extended several times, including in December 2024, May 2025, December 2025, and May 2026, with the latest extension continuing until November 2026.
Despite these institutional measures, an important question remains: Why has the violence in Manipur not come to a complete end after more than three years ? Ordinary people continue to bear the human and economic costs of the conflict. The State’s economy has suffered severely.
Transportation along major highways has been repeatedly disrupted. Education and healthcare services have faced repeated interruptions. Although a large number of Central and State security personnel have been deployed across the state, lasting peace remains elusive.
The people of Manipur deserve security, justice, dignity, and equal protection under the Constitution. Lasting peace cannot be achieved through security measures alone. It also requires accountability, restoration of trust, effective governance, dialogue where appropriate, and justice for all victims, regardless of their community.
Hope remains essential. One day, peace may overcome hatred. One day, trust may replace fear. One day, justice may be delivered to every victim. And one day, the people of Manipur may finally live free from the shadow of violence.
The writer is a social activist
India’s vision of becoming a developed nation with a strong economy continues to make significant pro-gress. Experts, intellectuals, academicians, and strategic analysts increasingly describe India as an emerging middle power with expanding diplomatic, economic, and security partnerships across the world. Initiatives such as the ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, the ‘Act East’ policy, and efforts to promote a free, open, and secure Indian Ocean demonstrate India’s growing regional and global influence.
India has also demonstrated its capability to respond decisively during security crises and humanitarian emergencies. Opera- tion Sindoor showcased India’s determination to respond to cross-border terrorism. Operation Ganga in 2022 successfully evacuated thousands of Indian Nationals from Ukraine, while Operation Sindhu reflected India’s rapid response in evacuating Indian citizens from Iran and Israel. These examples illustrate India’s growing capacity and international standing.
Against this backdrop, one question continues to trouble many observers: Why has the cycle of violence in Manipur, which began in 2023, continued for so long ? Why has the system been unable to completely stop or contain the violence and ensure timely justice for all victims ? Are the people of Manipur receiving the same level of National attention and urgency that would be expected elsewhere in the country ? Every human life matters equally.
India’s policy on terrorism emphasizes zero tole- rance toward acts of terrorism. Following the Pahal- gam terror attack, India’s response through Operation Sindoor reinforced this policy. In Manipur, however, there have been numerous reported incidents involving the killing of civilians, including women and children, abductions, hostage-taking, alleged mutilation of bodies, drone attacks, and sniper attacks. Media reports have documented incidents such as the Jiribam killings, the Koutruk drone bombing, the TM Kasom sniper attack, and the reported killing of six Naga men after they were allegedly taken hostage. These incidents have caused widespread fear among civilians and have deepened concerns about security, accountability, and justice. Many victims are citizens of India, yet many families continue to wait for justice.
The prolonged violence has created an atmosphere in which many people feel they are living under the constant shadow of fear and uncertainty.
Recognizing the seriousness of the situation, the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India took suo motu cognizance after a video showing the public parading of two women went viral. On 7 August 2023, the Court constituted a High-Level Committee headed by former Chief Justice Gita Mittal to oversee relief and rehabilitation measures for internally displaced persons (IDPs), restoration of homes and livelihoods, compensation for victims, and the provision of medical and psychological support.
The Supreme Court also directed that investigations into violence-related cases be monitored by a committee headed by former Maharashtra Director General of Police Dattatray Padsalgikar to strengthen oversight of the investigative process.
Separately, the Government of India, through the Ministry of Home Affairs, constituted the Justice Ajai Lamba Commission of Inquiry on 4 June 2023 under the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952. The Commission was tasked with examining the causes and spread of the violence from 3 May 2023 onwards, reconstructing the sequence of events, identifying any lapses by public authorities or individuals, and recommending measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. In February 2026, Justice Ajai Lamba resigned as Chairperson, and Justice Balbir Singh Chauhan was appointed to lead the Commission. The Commission’s tenure has been extended several times, including in December 2024, May 2025, December 2025, and May 2026, with the latest extension continuing until November 2026.
Despite these institutional measures, an important question remains: Why has the violence in Manipur not come to a complete end after more than three years ? Ordinary people continue to bear the human and economic costs of the conflict. The State’s economy has suffered severely.
Transportation along major highways has been repeatedly disrupted. Education and healthcare services have faced repeated interruptions. Although a large number of Central and State security personnel have been deployed across the state, lasting peace remains elusive.
The people of Manipur deserve security, justice, dignity, and equal protection under the Constitution. Lasting peace cannot be achieved through security measures alone. It also requires accountability, restoration of trust, effective governance, dialogue where appropriate, and justice for all victims, regardless of their community.
Hope remains essential. One day, peace may overcome hatred. One day, trust may replace fear. One day, justice may be delivered to every victim. And one day, the people of Manipur may finally live free from the shadow of violence.
The writer is a social activist