The Corresponding Committee of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Manipur, has questioned the Centre’s handling of the prolonged violence in the State, alleging that the crisis has been treated primarily as a conflict between communities while the role of armed groups has not been adequately addressed.
Speaking at a press meet in Imphal, convenor Santa Singh Shanta Nahakpam said the violence that began on May 3, 2023, had continued for more than three years, leaving thousands displaced and communities divided. He alleged that proxy forces were being used under a larger agenda and maintained that lasting peace would remain difficult unless the armed groups involved were addressed.
Shanta questioned the continuation of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) arrangement with Kuki militant groups despite earlier decisions of the State Cabinet and the Manipur Legislative Assembly. Referring to the Cabinet decision of March 10, 2023, he said the government had decided to withdraw from the tripartite talks/SoO arrangement with the KNA and ZRA. He also cited the Assembly resolution of February 29, 2024, urging the Centre to abrogate the SoO agreement.
He questioned the subsequent participation of the State Government in tripartite talks and the extension of the SoO agreement with Kuki militant groups on September 4, 2025.
Shanta further alleged that incidents of violence had been linked to groups covered by the SoO arrangement. Referring to the killing of six Naga civilians, he said the Deputy Chief Minister had publicly alleged the involvement of a SoO group and questioned why decisive action had not followed.
He also referred to the recent attack in Kamjong, claiming that Naga MLAs had attributed the incident to KNA (B), which he said is based in Myanmar. He questioned the Centre’s response to what he described as external aggression.
The committee also criticised the continued description of the Manipur violence as a community conflict. Shanta cited remarks attributed to Union Minister Kiren Rijiju in 2024 and at The Conclave 2026, where the violence was described in terms of dialogue among communities. He questioned whether armed attacks in other northeastern States would similarly be characterised as community conflicts.
On the humanitarian situation, Shanta called for a comprehensive policy for internally displaced persons (IDPs), including financial assistance, reconstruction of houses, restoration of livelihoods and arrangements for their safe and dignified return wherever conditions permit.
He alleged that political and electoral considerations were increasingly taking precedence over the security and humanitarian crisis and urged both the Centre and State Government to prioritise restoration of peace, civilian protection and rehabilitation.
The committee said it would continue to press for an end to the violence, protection of civilians and rehabilitation of displaced people.