Why in news?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Manipur on September 13, his first trip since ethnic clashes between Meiteis and Kuki-Zo erupted in May 2023.

Over 27 months, the state has endured violence, mass displacement, weakened law and order, the rise of armed groups, President’s Rule, and national elections.

While tensions have eased somewhat, five key issues — displacement, security, governance, inter-community trust, and political resolution — remain central to Manipur’s fragile recovery.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Rehabilitation of Manipur’s Displaced Population
• Restricted Movement and Buffer Zones in Manipur
• Lack of Dialogue and Ethnic Tensions in Manipur
• Political Transition and President’s Rule in Manipur
• Border Tensions and Fencing with Myanmar

Rehabilitation of Manipur’s Displaced Population

• Over 57,000 people remain in 280 relief camps across Manipur, displaced for over two years due to ethnic clashes.
• Displacement occurred mainly in two ways:
  • Kuki-Zo people forced out of Imphal and valley towns, and Meiteis from border and hill towns like Moreh, Kangpokpi, and Churachandpur; and
  • those from “fringe areas” at the valley-hill frontiers fleeing attacks or threats.
• In July, Manipur govt announced a three-phase resettlement plan to close all relief camps by year-end, beginning with phased return of fringe-area residents, followed by prefabricated housing for others once normalcy is restored.
• While around 5,000 people had returned before the plan, progress has since been slow.

Restricted Movement and Buffer Zones in Manipur

• During the conflict, sharp boundaries between the valley and hill districts have turned into “buffer zones” manned by security forces, blocking safe passage between Meitei and Kuki-Zo areas.
• Meiteis remain confined to the valley without highway access, while Kuki-Zos cannot reach Imphal or use key facilities like the airport.
• After President’s Rule in February, the Centre attempted to enforce “free movement” on highways, but violence erupted, leaving one dead and many injured.
• Currently, Kuki-Zo groups permit only essential goods to reach the valley but refuse Meitei movement across buffer zones.
• Meanwhile, no reciprocal arrangement exists for Kuki-Zo passage in Meitei-dominated areas.

Lack of Dialogue and Ethnic Tensions in Manipur

• Over 250 people have died in Manipur’s ethnic violence, the last major outbreak in November 2024.
• While large-scale clashes have ebbed, officials warn the state remains fragile, as both Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities are heavily armed and lack inter-community dialogue.
• The Centre continues separate talks with both sides, recently renewing a Suspension of Operations pact with Kuki-Zo insurgent groups.
• These groups agreed to uphold Manipur’s “territorial integrity,” but still demand a Union Territory with legislature, contradicting the pact’s spirit.
• Meitei groups see the agreement as legitimising insurgents, while Kuki-Zos allege past bias by ex-Chief Minister Biren Singh’s government favouring Meitei militias, fuelling mistrust.

Political Transition and President’s Rule in Manipur

• Former Chief Minister N Biren Singh resigned in February after opposition from both Kuki-Zo and many Meitei BJP MLAs.
• Soon after, President’s Rule was imposed, fulfilling a key Kuki-Zo demand and initially welcomed across communities.
• However, nearly two months later, valley-based and Naga MLAs began pressing for restoration of an elected government, citing public pressure.
• Despite this, the Centre has shown no urgency to lift President’s Rule, preferring stability over political transition in the conflict-hit state.

Border Tensions and Fencing with Myanmar

• Manipur’s porous border with Myanmar remains a flashpoint, with Meiteis blaming illegal Chin immigration for fueling unrest.
• In response, the Centre scrapped the Free Movement Regime — which allowed cross-border tribal travel up to 16 km — and announced fencing.
• This decision has angered both Kuki-Zo and Naga communities, who share deep ethnic, social, and economic ties across the border.
• Ahead of PM Modi’s visit, the United Naga Council protested by imposing a “trade embargo” on major supply routes but has since suspended it temporarily.