Manipur accounted for 77% of violent incidents in the northeast in 2023, says MHA

Manipur sees 77% of violent incidents in northeastern India in 2023, leading to casualties and government intervention.

Manipur accounted for 77% of violent incidents that took place in northeastern India in 2023, according to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) annual report for 2023-24.

There were 243 violent incidents reported in the northeast in 2023, of which 187 were in Manipur. The Union government released ₹247.26 crore to Manipur in 2023 to operate relief camps and rehabilitate people affected by the State’s “law and order crisis.”

The MHA report published on Monday said that the rise in violent incidents in Manipur was due to the prevailing ethnic strife between Meitei and Kuki communities in the State, and the resultant increase in casualties among both civilians and security personnel in comparison to 2022.

In comparison to the 187 incidents reported in 2023, which resulted in the deaths of 35 civilians and seven security personnel, there were 137 insurgency-related incidents registered in the State in 2022, in which five civilians and one security force personnel lost their lives. According to the MHA’s data for 2024, until November 30, 203 violent incidents have been reported, which led to three security personnel being killed, and 28 civilian deaths.

The counter-insurgency operations in 2023 also resulted in 33 insurgents being killed, while 184 insurgents were arrested, and 49 weapons recovered. Another 80 members of insurgent outfits surrendered, with 31 weapons, the report said.

On November 29, 2023, the MHA and the Manipur government signed a peace agreement with one of the factions of the United National Liberation Front (UNLF), the oldest armed Valley-based Meitei insurgent group. The group advocates for the secession of Manipur and largely operates from Myanmar.

Since ethnic violence erupted in the State on May 3, 2023, more than 250 people have been killed. In just the first three months, between May 3 and July 30, 2023, as many as 3,023 First Information Reports (FIR) pertaining to rape, sexual offences against women, murder, loot, and arson were registered in the State.