The Ethnic Conflict in Manipur and the Naked Kuki Armed Aggression Against the Nagas
The Ethnic Conflict in Manipur and the Naked Kuki Armed Aggression Against the Nagas
I have raised some pertinent issues before the Governor, Chief Minister, and the Home Minister of Manipur regarding The Ethnic Conflict in Manipur and the Naked Kuki Armed Aggression Against the Nagas.
[ LETTER TO THE GOVERNOR - SUBMITTED ON 04/04/2026]
To,
His Excellency,
Shri Ajay Kumar Bhalla Ji,
The Governor of Manipur,
Imphal.
Respected Dear Governor,
Subject: The Root Cause of Ethnic Crisis in Manipur and the Naked
Kuki Armed Aggression Against the Nagas - Regarding.
1. With reference to the subject mentioned above, I humbly wish to submit the following facts and issues for your kind consideration and necessary action:
SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITY OF THE GOVERNOR UNDER ARTICLE 371C
2. Vide the Manipur Legislative Assembly (Hill Areas Committee) Order, 1972, the President of India ordered that “The Governor shall have special responsibility for securing the proper functioning of the Hill Areas Committee in accordance with the provisions of this Order and shall, in the discharge of his special responsibility, act in his direction”. When considered in its entirety, the Governor of Manipur has special responsibility to secure the proper administration and development of the Hill Areas of Manipur in addition to his other responsibilities. In this submission, some pertinent issues concerning the Hill Areas of Manipur are discussed as under:
ROOT CAUSES OF THE ETHNIC CRISIS IN MANIPUR
The unchecked influx of Kuki-Chin illegal immigration from Myanmar.
3. As we all know so well, the continuous Kuki illegal immigration to Manipur from Myanmar is the main root cause of the ethnic conflicts between the Nagas and the Kukis for generations. The people who started the ongoing Meitei-Kuki-Zo war are also the same Kuki illegal immigrants from Myanmar who are continuously encroaching on the lands of the indigenous people of Manipur – the Meiteis and the Nagas. Many new Kuki villages have been established (994 new villages from 2006 to 2024) in the Naga, Meitei and reserved / protected forest areas and the existing Kuki villages and their population have vastly expanded and increased rapidly due to the influx of new illegal immigrants.
4. On the 13th September, 2025 in Churachandpur in the presence of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Your Excellency had stated that the people of Churachandpur should not allow illegal settlements of people from beyond borders and the State and the Centre cannot allow our land to be encroached by people beyond the borders.
5. As reported in Sangai Express dated 01/12/2024, the former Chief Justice of Manipur High Court Siddharth Mridul stated that the root causes of ethnic crisis are on account of infiltration from Myanmar leading to a demographic change in Manipur over the years and smuggling of arms and drugs through Myanmar.
6. The Home Minister Amit Shah made a statement in the Lok Sabha on 9 August, 2023 that the Meitei-Kuki conflict is due to the illegal infiltration from Myanmar.
7. In The Hindu, 15 July, 2023 and The Sangai Express December 4, 2024 (“ Probe SF-Kuki groups nexus: COCOMI”), the former Governor of Manipur Anusuiya Uikey stated: “infiltrators from across the border may have fuelled the ongoing unrest in the northeastern state of Manipur.”
8. Jaideep Majumdar, in his article “With Meitei-Kuki peace talks a non-starter, only solution is to go after Kuki terrorists” published by The Sangai Express on October 31,2024, conclusively stated that “ By attacking Meitei villages and killing Meiteis,…The Kuki outfits, as is clear by now, want to drive away Meiteis from all parts of the hill districts, as well as the foothills in Imphal valley , before populating the areas with Kukis, especially the illegal immigrants from Myanmar… The entire ethnic conflagration in Manipur was triggered last year by unprovoked, intense and brutal attacks on Meiteis in Kuki-dominated areas of hill districts on May 3 last year…The violence was premeditated by Kuki-Zo-Chin groups and civil society organizations”.
9. Similar views have been expressed by many independent authors that the Kuki-Chin illegal immigration is the root cause of the ethnic crisis in Manipur.
Illicit drug trafficking, arms smuggling, poppy plantations by the Kuki-Chin groups.
10. In the Kuki inhibited areas of Manipur, the main farming activity of the Kukis is the poppy cultivation. Almost all the entire Kuki society actively participates in the poppy cultivation and the illicit drug trades and manufacturing activities. As a public relation exercise, some Kuki CSOs may issue fake statements discouraging poppy plantations. This is just a facade – the truth being hidden. Further, Manipur has become the critical transit hub / point for illicit narcotics entering India from the Golden Triangle (comprising Myanmar, Laos and Thailand), specially through its 398 km porous border with Myanmar. The poppy plantation, drug production, drug trafficking, and arms smuggling go hand in hand thereby creating a “narco-terrorist” nexus. From these illegal drug and arms trades, the Kukis get themselves fully financed and armed with the most sophisticated weapons. This brings mayhem in Manipur.
Kuki armed aggressions against the Nagas
11. The nomadic Kukis of Myanmar appeared in the Naga areas of Manipur sometime in the 19th century. Since then, more and more Kuki infiltrators had entered Manipur from Myanmar. Now they have multiplied. The Kuki history is replete with massacres of innocent Nagas - men, women, children and infants. The Naga-Kuki war of 1993-97 and the ongoing Meitei-Kuki war were started by the Kukis.
The unprovoked naked Kuki armed aggressions against the innocent villagers of Sinakeithei village.
12. On 4 August, 2021, the Kukis murdered two Sinakeithei villagers in cold blood and their bodies were discovered on the 8th of August, 2021. There were sufficient evidences, but no proper inquiries were conducted. The Kukis have been harassing the Sinakeithei villagers for years. Since 8 March, 2026, the heavily armed Kuki terrorists have been attacking the Sinakeithei village and its people. The details of such attacks on the Sinakeithei village and its people by the armed Kuki terrorists are in the knowledge of the concerned authorities and in the public domain. The people of Sinakeithei village have never provoked the Kukis and their armed terrorists. As a villager of Sinakeithei, a few facts are stated here and brought before your Excellency for taking appropriate actions at the earliest.
(1) The unprovoked naked armed aggressions by the Kuki armed terrorists against the Sinakeithei village is a declaration war on the Nagas. If the State government allows such naked armed aggressions on the innocent Naga villagers by the Kuki armed terrorists without any provocation, then from now on, the Nagas will be fully justified to attack any Kuki village in Manipur in the lands of the Nagas.
(2) These Kuki armed terrorists have occupied the west side of Sinakeithei territorial areas and have constructed bunkers / trenches at the top of our Lungter mountain range. From these strategic vintage points and also from the east-south sides of the village, the Kuki armed terrorists have been constantly attacking the village for many days.
(3) So far, the Manipur Rifles, Manipur police, the BSF and the 4 Mahar Regiment stationed there have protected the Sinakeithei village and its people. In particular, the Mahar Regiment has done a good job protecting the villagers within the confines of the village.
(4) However, what we need is not the protection of the village and its people within the confines of the village. The village is surrounded by the Kuki armed terrorists from three sides and are constantly attacking the village with highly sophisticated weapons at will in a sustained and planned manner. What we need is the total removal of these Kuki armed terrorists from the village territorial areas / jurisdiction. The Mahar Regiment, the Manipur Rifles, and the BSF are not attacking or going after these Kuki armed terrorists even though the Kukis are occupying our village lands / hills and attacking the village and its people from such occupied village lands. These security forces are firing back only when the Kuki armed terrorists come and attack the village from very close ranges. The security forces patrol the occupied areas, Kuki bunkers and trenches, but they do not drive out the armed Kuki terrorists from these village areas. Apparently, there are orders issued to the security forces not shoot and kill, but protect these Kuki armed terrorists despite the continuous attacks on the village using very sophisticated weapons such as drones, self-loading rifles, long range snipers, etc.
(5) Unless these armed Kuki terrorists are driven out of the village lands immediately, they will keep on attacking the villagers despite the presence of so many security forces. Due to these continuous Kuki attacks, all farming activities in the village have stopped and the villagers are facing starvation and death. The Kukis will stop attacking the innocent Naga villagers, only when the governments of India and Manipur stop supporting/ protecting them. This is the crux of the problem of Manipur.
(6) Sinakeithei and the road passing through the village is the lifeline of the Kukis of this region consisting of about 21 Kuki villages. Therefore, the Kukis have been making attempts to capture/ seize this village for the last many decades. If the Governments of India and Manipur allow the Kukis to attack the Nagas freely with impunity, then there will be war between the Nagas and the Kukis at a much larger scale very soon.
(7) Since the government of India and the present government of Manipur have sided with the Kuki illegal immigrants, the Kukis have become so bold and audacious to attack innocent Nagas without fear of any consequences. Without any provocation from the Nagas, very recently, the Kukis and their armed terrorists have attacked, kidnapped, abducted, beaten and threatened innocent Nagas in many places including Litan, Ereng, Sinakeithei, Shangkai, Sharkaphung and Kamjong Headquarters. It is the duty and responsibility of the governments of India and Manipur to disarm, seize the weapons, arrest and imprison these Kuki armed terrorists. Most unfortunately, instead of taking stern actions against those armed Kuki terrorists for their naked armed aggressions against the innocent people, the present government is seen to be supporting, appeasing and protecting the Kukis and their armed Kuki terrorists. The question being asked is why the government is so openly protecting these armed Kuki terrorists who are committing crimes after crimes?
(8) The unprovoked attacks have made the Nagas particularly the Naga youths very unhappy and angry with the Kukis and those people who are helping and supporting them. And the Nagas will be fully justified to put an end to this naked armed Kuki aggression.
Suspension of Operations Pact (SoO) : A Licence to Attack the Indigenous People of Manipur with Impunity
13. The indigenous people of Manipur consider the Suspension of Operations Agreement as one of the root causes of the ethnic crisis in Manipur and a very dangerous policy of populating Manipur with the Kuki illegal immigrants. The reason is very simple. As we are fully aware, the Kukis and their armed groups are used by the GOI for its various works. In return, the Kukis and their armed groups take government support and protection, and they aggressively work for the Kuki home land in Manipur. The GOI’s support to the Kukis had led to ethnic wars in Manipur. The nomadic Kukis from Myanmar never had lands of their own in Manipur. They are settled in the Naga areas, but they do not want to acknowledge the owners of the lands and co-exist with the Nagas in peace. The Nagas and the Meiteis will never give their lands to the Kukis.
14. The designated SoO camps are carefully selected to advance the plans of establishing the Kuki homeland and the SoO ground rules are structured in such a manner that they are not to be followed or enforced at all. This is the truth. As the indigenous people of Manipur see it, and from the evidences available in the public domain, the Assam Rifles and the Kuki armed terrorists are seen to be living and working together as business partners, aiming to achieve a shared goal – the goal of finishing the Nagas / Meiteis who are fighting for their political rights.
Unequal distribution of resources between the Imphal valley and the hill areas of Manipur.
15. The unequal distribution of resources / revenues between the Imphal valley and the hill areas is one of the reasons for ethnic tensions in Manipur. To address this issue, I have made attempts such as : (1) The article “ Manipur Budget for 2025-26: Unequal Sharing of Resources” published in the Sangai Express on May 19th, 20th & 21st, 2025. (2) The Petition for a separate Budget for the Hill Areas of Manipur dated 10/10/2025 submitted to the President of India, a copy of which was received by the Governor’s office on 13/10/2025 and (3) Manipur Budget 26-27 (36 pages) – Separate Budget for the Hill Areas dated 10/03/2026 submitted to the Governor and the Chief Minister of Manipur wherein the extreme disparities / inequalities and the need for a separate budget for the hill areas of Manipur, equitable distribution of revenues between the hill areas and the Imphal valley, and also between the hill districts to avoid ad hoc and arbitrary allocation of funds, etc. are analysed and discussed in great detail for inclusion in the budget. The Manipur budget debate continued till 17/03/2026.
16. The Hon’ble Governor and the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Manipur are requested to listen to the voices of the hill people and address their grievances.
Not To Celebrate Shirui Lily Festival 2026
17. Considering the ongoing Kuki naked armed aggressions against the Nagas and the Tangkhuls in particular and the internal local crisis, it is not advisable and conducive to celebrate the Shirui Lily festival at this point of time. During the ongoing Meitei-Kuki conflict, the State and the two warring communities did not celebrate their festivals including the Sangai festival. The latest Sangai festival 2025 was practically boycotted by the Meitei community. In the fitness of things, the government of Manipur should not proceed with the Shirui Lily festival programme this year, but to spend its time, energy and resources in developing / making the Shirui village and its surroundings a place of cultural cum tourism centre with the state-of-the-art infrastructures.
National Register of Citizens (NRC)
18. Both the Meiteis and the Nagas demand immediate NRC exercise in Manipur to document all the legal citizens of Manipur so that the illegal immigrants are identified and deported. The influx of Kuki-Chin illegal immigrants from Myanmar in large numbers is the primary driver of the ethic wars and demographic shifts in Manipur. Due to the lack of political will, the State government miserably failed to detect, imprison or deport illegal immigrants under the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025 or the repealed laws – the Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920, Registration of Foreigners Act, 1939, Foreigners Act, 1946 and Immigration (Carriers’ Liability) Act, 2000. This being the case, the only way to identify and deport the illegal immigrants from the State is to carry out NRC exercise in Manipur.
19. In view of the facts and circumstances stated above, it is most respectfully prayed that your Excellency may be pleased to:
(1) Order the security forces to drive out the armed Kuki terrorists from the Sinakeithei village territorial areas and allow the villagers to work and live in peace. Ensure the full posting of the sanctioned strength of Manipur police in the village.
(2) Stop fresh illegal immigration from Myanmar, and detect and deport Kuki-Chin illegal immigrants under the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025 and other related applicable laws.
(3) Stop supporting, protecting and using the armed Kuki terrorists against the indigenous people of Manipur. Stop believing that the Kuki-Zo-Chin of India and Myanmar will advance the India’s Act East Policy and its geo-political interests beyond India’s international border.
(4) Abrogate the SoO pact if India wants peace in Manipur. Disarm the heavily armed Kuki terrorists.
(5) Conduct NRC in Manipur with 1951 as the base year to record genuine citizens, and to identify and deport illegal immigrants. The NRC has become an absolute necessity for the protection and survival of the indigenous people of Manipur.
(6) Order a separate budget for the Hill Areas of Manipur. In exercise of the special responsibility of the Governor and his discretionary power, a detailed report be sent to the President of India to issue a new order (replacing, amending or in addition to the Order of 1972) under Article 371C of the Constitution to bring the required changes.
(7) Declare and actively enforce free and safe movements in all National and State highways and all roads connecting towns and villages.
With highest regards,
Yours Sincerely,
(K. TIMOTHY ZIMIK, IRS)
Principal Chief Commissioner
of Income Tax (Retired).
Copy to:
1. Shri Yumnam Khemchand Singh, the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Manipur with the humble request to take prompt action on the line indicated above.
2. Shri Govindas Konthoujam, the Hon’ble Home Minister of Manipur for necessary action.
(K.TIMOTHY ZIMIK, IRS)