Assam Rifles DG reviews Manipur security grid amid ethnic violence
Synopsis
Assam Rifles DG Lieutenant General Vikas Lakhera personally toured Manipur's most conflict-hit garrisons on Tuesday, conducting reviews in Ukhrul and Kamjong — the two districts at the epicentre of ongoing Naga–Kuki-Zo ethnic violence that has killed more than 50 people since February. The visit, coinciding with a separate law-and-order review by the Chief Minister and the BSF chief, signals a concerted push to stabilise a security situation that has now lasted the better part of a year.
Key Takeaways
Assam Rifles DG Lt Gen Vikas Lakhera chaired a high-level security review in Manipur on 27 October 2026 .
Reviews were held at Somsai Garrison and Tusom COB in Ukhrul district , and at Chassad Garrison in Kamjong district .
Four Assam Rifles personnel received Commendation Cards for exceptional service during the visit.
Separately, Manipur CM Yumnam Khemchand Singh and BSF DG Praveen Kumar also recently reviewed the law and order situation in the state.
More than 50 people have reportedly been killed in Naga–Kuki-Zo ethnic clashes since February 2026 , with violence concentrated in Ukhrul, Kamjong, Kangpokpi, Tamenglong, Noney and Senapati districts.
Lieutenant General Vikas Lakhera, Director General of Assam Rifles, on Tuesday, 27 October chaired a high-level security review meeting to assess and reinforce the operational grid in Manipur, officials said. The visit comes against the backdrop of ongoing ethnic violence between Naga and Kuki-Zo communities that has claimed more than 50 lives since February this year.
Key Operational Reviews
Accompanied by Major General Gaurav Sharma, Inspector General, Assam Rifles (South), Lieutenant General Lakhera conducted a comprehensive operational review at Somsai Garrison and Tusom Company Operating Base (COB) in the mountainous Ukhrul district. A separate review was also held at Chassad Garrison in the hilly Kamjong district.
The visits were aimed at evaluating the readiness of the Ukhrul Warriors — the units deployed in that sector — in light of the prevailing security environment. According to a defence spokesman, leadership received detailed briefings covering operational deployments, the local security landscape, and key administrative arrangements at these strategically vital posts.
What the DG Emphasised
During the reviews, Lieutenant General Lakhera stressed the imperative of maintaining continuous vigilance, executing effective area domination, and bolstering seamless coordination with civil administrative authorities and fellow security agencies. He further underscored the need to establish a robust, responsive security grid capable of adapting to emerging regional challenges.
Interacting directly with personnel on the ground, the Director General praised all ranks for their steadfast dedication, resilience, high morale, and professionalism under demanding field conditions. He presented Commendation Cards to four Assam Rifles personnel who demonstrated exceptional service and devotion to duty.
Broader Security Consultations
Separately, Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh and Border Security Force (BSF) Director General Praveen Kumar recently reviewed the prevailing law and order situation in the state, further signalling a heightened security focus at the highest levels. These consultations collectively reflect the urgency with which central and state authorities are approaching the crisis.
Context: Ethnic Violence in Manipur's Hill Districts
The security reviews assume particular significance given the scale of the unrest. More than 50 people have reportedly been killed and dozens of houses torched in clashes between the Naga and Kuki-Zo communities since February 2026. The violence has been concentrated primarily in Ukhrul, Kamjong, Kangpokpi, Tamenglong, Noney, and parts of Senapati districts.
Notably, both Ukhrul and Kamjong — the districts covered in Tuesday's review — are among the most heavily affected areas, underscoring why the Assam Rifles considers these garrisons strategically vital. This is not the first high-level security review in Manipur in recent months; the state has seen a pattern of escalation followed by security reinforcement since ethnic tensions first flared in 2023.
With multiple security agencies now conducting parallel reviews, the focus will be on whether coordinated operational responses can translate into lasting stability across Manipur's conflict-affected hill districts.
Point of View
And repeated high-level security reviews have yet to produce a durable ceasefire. The convergence of the Assam Rifles DG's tour, the Chief Minister's law-and-order meeting, and the BSF chief's review happening in close succession suggests coordinated pressure from the Centre, but it also implies that earlier rounds of security reinforcement have not held. What remains conspicuously absent from official statements is any reference to a political dialogue track — without which operational excellence alone is unlikely to address the roots of the conflict.
NationPress
27 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Assam Rifles DG visit Manipur on 27 October?
Lieutenant General Vikas Lakhera visited to conduct a high-level operational review of the security grid across Ukhrul and Kamjong districts, evaluating troop readiness amid ongoing ethnic violence between Naga and Kuki-Zo communities. The visit included briefings on deployments, local security conditions, and administrative arrangements.
Which areas of Manipur did the Assam Rifles DG review?
The review covered Somsai Garrison and Tusom Company Operating Base (COB) in Ukhrul district, and Chassad Garrison in Kamjong district — both among the most conflict-affected areas in Manipur.
How serious is the ethnic violence in Manipur's hill districts?
More than 50 people have reportedly been killed and dozens of houses torched in clashes between the Naga and Kuki-Zo communities since February 2026. The violence has been concentrated in Ukhrul, Kamjong, Kangpokpi, Tamenglong, Noney, and parts of Senapati districts.
Who else has recently reviewed Manipur's security situation?
Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh and BSF Director General Praveen Kumar separately reviewed the law and order situation in the state around the same time, reflecting a multi-agency focus on stabilising the region.
What did the Assam Rifles DG stress during the review?
Lieutenant General Lakhera emphasised continuous vigilance, effective area domination, and seamless coordination with civil administration and other security agencies. He also underscored the need for a robust security grid adaptable to emerging regional challenges.
