Manipur CM orders probe into armed groups behind recent violence, flags UAPA action
Synopsis
Manipur CM Yumnam Khemchand Singh has put armed groups on notice — identify yourselves or face UAPA. The directive, issued at a major inter-agency review, comes as Kangpokpi enters a second day of shutdown over the killing of two Kuki youths, deepening pressure on a state administration still struggling to contain ethnic violence that began in May 2023.
Key Takeaways
Manipur CM Yumnam Khemchand Singh on 3 November 2026 directed security agencies to identify armed groups suspected of involvement in recent violence, excluding those in active peace talks.
Groups found responsible for civilian killings could be declared unlawful and prosecuted under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) .
A detailed report from security agencies has been sought at the earliest; Cabinet will decide on UAPA declarations based on findings.
The Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) continued a shutdown in Kangpokpi district for a second consecutive day, citing government inaction over the killing of two Kuki youths.
Tinginlun Chongloi (21) and Paoginlal Hangshing (20) , missing since 28 October , were recovered dead on 1 November .
The security review was attended by senior officials from Assam Rifles , CRPF , BSF , ITBP , Intelligence Bureau , and state and central agencies.
Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Tuesday, 3 November 2026, directed senior security officials to identify active armed outfits — excluding those currently engaged in peace negotiations with the state government — suspected of involvement in the recent wave of violence across the state. The directive came during a high-level security review meeting held at the Cabinet Hall, Chief Minister's Secretariat, Mantripukhri, according to officials.
What the Chief Minister Ordered
A senior official of the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said Singh instructed security agencies to submit a detailed report on the alleged involvement of armed groups at the earliest. Groups under active peace talks with the state government were explicitly excluded from the identification exercise.
The Chief Minister warned that, based on the report's findings, the state Cabinet would be compelled to consider declaring such outfits unlawful if their role in violence against civilians is established. He made clear that groups continuing to target the civilian population would face action under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
Who Attended the Security Review
The meeting was chaired by the Chief Minister and attended by Home Minister Konthoujam Govindas Singh, Chief Secretary Rajeev Singh Thakur, Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh, and Manipur Director General of Police Mukesh Singh. Lieutenant General Girish Kalia, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 3 Corps, participated virtually.
Senior officers from the Assam Rifles, CRPF, BSF, SSB, ITBP, the Intelligence Bureau, and the state Home Department were also present, reflecting the scale of the inter-agency coordination being sought.
Kangpokpi Shutdown Enters Second Day
Simultaneously, normal life remained disrupted in Kangpokpi district for the second consecutive day on Tuesday, as the Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU) — a prominent Kuki-Zo organisation — continued a shutdown to protest what it described as the state government's inaction over the killing of two Kuki community youths.
Shops, markets, and business establishments remained closed across the district. Several goods-laden vehicles headed for Imphal via National Highway-2 (NH-2) were stranded in the neighbouring Senapati district, which is predominantly inhabited by the Naga community, according to a police officer. Additional security forces were deployed in the hilly district to prevent further incidents.
The Killings That Sparked the Protest
The shutdown was called in response to the deaths of two Kuki youths — Tinginlun Chongloi (21) and Paoginlal Hangshing (20) — who had gone missing on 28 October. Their bodies were recovered on 1 November after multiple search operations by joint teams comprising the Manipur Police, CRPF, CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action), Rapid Action Force (RAF), and Assam Rifles.
CoTU condemned the killings and blamed the government for failing to act swiftly. The incident adds to a pattern of ethnically charged violence that has intermittently gripped Manipur since the outbreak of Meitei-Kuki-Zo clashes in May 2023. This is the latest in a series of security review sessions the Chief Minister has convened as the state administration faces pressure to restore order and accountability.
What Comes Next
The Chief Minister's office is expected to receive the security agencies' detailed report shortly, after which the Cabinet will decide on potential UAPA declarations. Whether the government's escalated posture translates into prosecutorial action — or becomes another administrative measure that falls short of resolution — will be closely watched by both affected communities and civil society groups.
Point of View
But Manipur has seen strong signals before. The real test is whether the security report leads to actual prosecutions — or becomes another layer of procedural activity in a conflict that has resisted resolution for over 18 months. Notably, the carve-out for groups 'in peace talks' is a double-edged move: it preserves negotiating channels but also creates a ready-made shield that armed outfits have historically exploited. The Kangpokpi shutdown underlines that community trust in state institutions remains low, and that administrative escalation without visible accountability will not hold.
NationPress
4 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Manipur CM Yumnam Khemchand Singh convene the security review meeting?
Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh called the meeting to review the law and order situation in Manipur and direct agencies to identify armed groups allegedly behind recent incidents of violence. The meeting follows a fresh wave of unrest, including the killing of two Kuki youths and a resulting shutdown in Kangpokpi district.
What action could armed groups face under the CM's directive?
Groups found to be involved in violence against civilians could be declared unlawful by the state Cabinet and prosecuted under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The Chief Minister has asked security agencies to submit a detailed report on their findings before any such declaration is made.
Why is Kangpokpi district under shutdown?
The Committee on Tribal Unity (CoTU), a Kuki-Zo organisation, called the shutdown to protest what it described as the state government's failure to act over the killing of two Kuki youths — Tinginlun Chongloi (21) and Paoginlal Hangshing (20). The shutdown entered its second consecutive day on 3 November, disrupting supply routes on NH-2.
Who were the two Kuki youths killed, and when were their bodies found?
The two youths, Tinginlun Chongloi (21) and Paoginlal Hangshing (20), went missing on 28 October and were recovered dead on 1 November following joint search operations by the Manipur Police, CRPF, CoBRA, RAF, and Assam Rifles.
Which officials attended the Manipur security review meeting?
The meeting was attended by Home Minister Konthoujam Govindas Singh, Chief Secretary Rajeev Singh Thakur, Security Advisor Kuldiep Singh, and DGP Mukesh Singh, among others. Lieutenant General Girish Kalia of 3 Corps joined virtually, and senior officers from Assam Rifles, CRPF, BSF, ITBP, SSB, and the Intelligence Bureau were also present.
