IMPHAL, Oct 3: A coalition of 14 civil society organisations in Kangleipak has questioned the Centre’s approach to the Manipur crisis, arguing that the prolonged violence should not be viewed solely as a communal conflict and seeking greater clarity on its handling of armed groups operating in the state.
Addressing a press conference, convenor of the 14 CSOs Kangleipak, Shanta Nahakpam, said the violence involved armed militant groups and alleged that the security dimensions of the crisis had not been adequately addressed by the Centre.
His remarks followed Union Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju’s comments at a conclave in New Delhi on September 27 that lasting peace in Manipur would require dialogue among the Meitei, Kuki and Naga communities. Rijiju had also said the Centre could not use military force to end the conflict and stressed the need for dialogue.
Nahakpam said the CSOs viewed the description of the crisis and emphasis on dialogue as inadequate in the context of alleged attacks by armed groups on civilians and villages. He compared the situation with incidents involving armed groups in Changlang and Tirap along the India-Myanmar border and questioned whether such incidents would also be treated as communal conflicts.
He also questioned the continuation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) arrangement with Kuki militant groups. The Manipur Assembly had unanimously passed a resolution on February 29, 2024, seeking abrogation of the agreement. The arrangement was subsequently extended in September 2025 between the Centre, the state government, the Kuki National Organisation and the United People’s Front, with revised ground rules requiring adherence to the Constitution, Indian laws and Manipur’s territorial integrity.
Nahakpam referred to allegations involving groups covered by the arrangement, including the abduction and killing of six Naga civilians in May 2026. Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho had alleged involvement of a group operating under the SoO framework, while the state government later handed the case to the National Investigation Agency.
He also referred to the recent killing of four Tangkhul Naga civilians in Kamjong district, which Naga organisations attributed to the Myanmar-based Kuki National Army-Burma. The attribution remained an allegation and had not been independently verified.
The coalition sought greater clarity from the Centre on its approach towards armed groups and violence along Manipur’s international border. Its remarks came amid renewed violence in parts of the state and demands from Naga organisations for action against armed groups and a review of the SoO arrangement.
