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ISLAMABAD: Members of the Naga community held a candlelight vigil in Guwahati on Tuesday to honor six Naga civilians who were found dead in Manipur last week amid violence, as protesters demanded justice and stronger action to restore law and order in the troubled northeastern state. The victims, belonging to the Christian Naga community, are believed to be among those taken hostage from Leilon Vaiphei village on May 13, according to Manipur Police.&nbsp; Police said the bodies were recovered after more than 24 hours of search operations involving around 450 personnel, sniffer dogs, and forensic teams. At the vigil, participants lit candles, offered prayers, and expressed solidarity with the bereaved families. They called on the authorities to ensure a transparent investigation and hold those responsible accountable.&nbsp; They also urged the government to take urgent steps to prevent further ethnic violence in Manipur, where tensions have remained high for more than three years. The latest killings have deepened fears of a further deterioration in the security situation.&nbsp; Manipur has been gripped by unrest since May 2023, when clashes erupted between the state&rsquo;s dominant, mostly Hindu Meitei community and the mainly Christian Kuki tribes over access to economic benefits, land rights, and government job quotas. The Naga community, Manipur&rsquo;s third major ethnic group, had largely remained outside the core of the Meitei-Kuki conflict.&nbsp; However, tensions involving Naga groups escalated earlier this year after a Naga man was allegedly assaulted by Kuki men, drawing the community into the wider unrest. Rights groups and local organizations have repeatedly urged authorities to protect civilians and pursue dialogue among the communities.&nbsp; Police said legal formalities were being completed and an investigation into the deaths was underway.&nbsp; However, media reports say that no group has been officially named by police as responsible for the killings.

Asia

Members of the community gather in Guwahati to mourn those killed, demanding justice, accountability, and stronger government action to urgently restore peace in the violence-hit state.

India's Naga community holds candlelight vigil after six civilians killed in Manipur

ISLAMABAD: The killing of three tribal church leaders in Manipur has reignited tensions in the violence-hit northeastern state, triggering protests and shutdowns across hill districts, Indian media reported on Thursday. According to reports, the victims were associated with the Thadou Baptist Association and were ambushed by unidentified armed men in Kangpokpi district. The church leaders were returning from a religious gathering in Churachandpur when their vehicles were attacked along the Kangpokpi&ndash;Churachandpur road. At least three people were killed in the incident, which has intensified anxiety in areas already affected by ethnic unrest. The Wire reported that the killings come amid ongoing tensions between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities that have gripped Manipur since 2023. Following the attack, tribal organizations called for shutdowns in several districts, including Kangpokpi and Churachandpur. Local groups said the shutdown was meant to protest the killings and demand justice for the victims.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2054622707522670822&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Fmedia-library%2F&sessionId=9e2b85a012d3f5ba51839d34629b8ba81a836e85&theme=light&widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 825px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;"></iframe></div></div>Normal life was disrupted as markets, schools and transport services remained largely closed in affected areas. Kuki Inpi Manipur, a key tribal body, demanded a probe by the National Investigation Agency into the killings. The organization also submitted a charter of demands to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking enhanced security and accountability. Tribal groups said repeated attacks on their communities have created a climate of fear and insecurity in the region. Rights organizations have previously alleged that authorities have failed to prevent violence and ensure protection for vulnerable groups. The government has maintained that efforts are ongoing to stabilize the security situation in Manipur. Security forces were deployed in the affected districts following the attack to prevent further escalation. Police have launched an investigation into the killings, though no group has claimed responsibility so far. Community leaders warned that targeting religious figures could further deepen mistrust between communities. The latest incident highlights the fragile security environment in Manipur, where periodic violence continues to disrupt efforts toward reconciliation. Tensions remain high as authorities attempt to contain the fallout and reassure residents in the affected regions.

India

The killing of three tribal church leaders in Manipur triggered protests and shutdowns, with tribal groups demanding justice and alleging security failures amid ongoing ethnic tensions in the northeastern Indian state.

India’s Manipur on edge after killing of three tribal church leaders

ISLAMABAD: A blast at Manipur University and protests over a planned census have renewed focus on instability in Manipur, where displacement, ethnic tensions and insecurity continue despite official claims of normalcy. A bomb explosion at Manipur University on Sunday evening was a fresh sign that the conflict-hit state is still far from normal, despite repeated official claims of stability, the Times of India reported. According to local media reports, the blast took place near staff quarters on the Canchipur campus, damaging property and causing panic. No casualties were reported, but university officials described it as an attack on &ldquo;education, peace, and harmony.&rdquo; The blast came as opposition grows to the government&rsquo;s plan to go ahead with the national census. Thousands of internally displaced persons and the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee have urged authorities to delay the exercise until people forced from their homes by the violence are properly resettled. Critics say a census held now would distort population data and affect future political representation and development planning. The dispute points to the deeper crisis in Manipur. As The Economist recently noted, &quot;the state is still shaped by the ethnic violence that broke out in May 2023&quot; between the largely Hindu Meiteis and the mainly Christian Kukis. The conflict is rooted in long-running tensions over identity, rights and resources, and it has left hundreds dead and thousands of homes destroyed. Those figures broadly match international reporting. When New Delhi imposed President&rsquo;s Rule in February 2025, Reuters reported that at least 250 people had been killed and around 60,000 displaced. Yet even after such large-scale loss and displacement, both the state and central governments have continued to project an image of recovery and communal harmony. For residents of Manipur, the issue is no longer only the violence that erupted in 2023, but the unresolved fallout that continues to shape daily life. The blast at Manipur University and the objections to holding a census before rehabilitation show that security, displacement and political trust remain deeply contested.

A blast at Manipur University and protests over a planned census have renewed focus on instability in Manipur, where displacement, ethnic tensions and insecurity continue despite official claims of normalcy

Manipur University blast puts focus back on India’s festering crisis

ISLAMABAD: Fresh violence in Manipur&#39;s Ukhrul district in India has led to a strict security clampdown with curfew and internet suspension to restore peace, Indian media reported on Tuesday. Fresh violence in Ukhrul district of <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/execution-video-exposes-how-manipur-became-indias-invisible-conflict-zone" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Manipur </a>has prompted authorities to impose a curfew and suspend internet services for five days to restore order. The unrest began late on Monday when armed individuals allegedly set houses on fire in Litan Sareikhong village and fired rounds into the air, causing <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/civil-unrest-under-bjp-manipurs-ethnic-conflict-becomes-indias-warning-sign" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">widespread panic.</a> Residents were forced to flee their homes, with many taking shelter in neighboring Kangpokpi district. The Manipur government responded, citing the violence as a serious threat to public safety and peace. To prevent the situation from escalating, a temporary internet shutdown was ordered across Ukhrul district. The tensions have sparked widespread concern. Ashok Swain, a prominent Indian academic, in a post on X on Tuesday stated: &ldquo;Manipur burning again, curfew imposed and internet is blocked!&rdquo;<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2021257247951561043&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=eeb56533bd6554b017d39a1e884b9d48eaec654c&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 777px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" data-tweet-id="2021257247951561043"></iframe></div></div>Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made his first visit to troubled Manipur state in Sept. 2025 since more than 250 people were killed in ethnic clashes there in 2023, according to AFP.

Fresh violence in Ukhrul district of Manipur has prompted authorities to impose a curfew and suspend internet services for five days to restore order.

Articles tagged with ", Manipur"

India's Naga community holds candlelight vigil after six civilians killed in Manipur

India’s Manipur on edge after killing of three tribal church leaders

Manipur University blast puts focus back on India’s festering crisis

Curfew imposed, internet suspended in India's Manipur after fresh violence