Lieutenant General VMB Krishnan, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) of Eastern Command, visited Manipur on 24 September 2026 to hold detailed discussions with senior officers of Spear Corps and Assam Rifles units, reviewing ground-level strategies amid continuing ethnic violence in the state. The visit underscores the Army's heightened operational focus on a conflict that has now claimed more than 306 lives over three years.

Latest Violence: Retaliatory Killings and Arson

The most recent casualty was a Kuki man killed on Wednesday morning, triggering the torching of nearly 24 houses across two Naga villages in what witnesses described as a retaliatory attack. The killing itself was reportedly a response to the death of a Naga youth a day earlier. Just days before, four people — including three women — had been killed in separate incidents. The latest flare-up was concentrated in the hill districts of Kangpokpi and Tamenglong.

Militant organisations including the NSCN(IM) and Kuki National Army are reportedly involved in the ongoing violence, complicating the security calculus for forces deployed on the ground.

What the Eastern Army Commander Assessed

According to a senior official, Lt Gen Krishnan 'held detailed discussions with officers on strategies adopted and outcomes.' He also interacted directly with deployed troops, several of whom received commendation cards and medals for their service. The Assam Rifles, alongside other security agencies, has intensified operations to seize weapons and apprehend militants active in the region.

Notably, senior officers recently convened a meeting with Naga and Kuki-Zo community leaders, urging them to adopt a neutral stance and halt violence that officials say is hampering the state's development. This civil outreach marks a parallel track to purely kinetic operations.

Roots of the Three-Year Conflict

The conflict initially erupted between the Meitei community — the valley-dwelling majority — and Kuki-Zo groups from the hills. The flashpoint was a demand by Hindu Meiteis to obtain Scheduled Tribe (ST) status on par with the Kukis, which would have granted them access to forest land currently under Kuki control. Critics argue the underlying grievance is rooted in land ownership and demographic anxiety rather than purely ethnic identity.

The Nagas, who constitute approximately 20 per cent of Manipur's population and are the state's second-largest ethnic group after the Meiteis, initially remained on the sidelines. They were drawn into the conflict after Kuki groups allegedly attempted to take control of Naga villages, opening a second front in the hill districts.

Political Dimensions and Civilian Demands

The Meitei community has accused Kuki-Zo groups of illegal infiltration and narco-terrorism, allegations the Kuki side disputes. In a significant political move, the Meiteis have reportedly pressured the state government to suspend census operations. They have also demanded the implementation of a National Register of Citizens (NRC) to identify and remove alleged illegal immigrants — a demand that critics say could deepen communal fault lines further.

Thousands of displaced residents continue to live in makeshift camps across the state, with several people still reported missing. As security forces pursue a dual strategy of counter-militant operations and community dialogue, all eyes remain on whether the Army's renewed engagement can translate into a durable reduction in violence.