306 killed, 49 missing in ethnic violence since May 2023: Manipur Home Minister tells Assembly
Manipur Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam reported that 306 people have died and 49 remain missing due to ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities since May 2023. The report was delivered during an Assembly session following a period of President's rule in the state.
Why it matters
This provides an official government update on the human cost and political instability of a significant ongoing ethnic conflict in India.
At least 306 people have been killed, and 49 are still missing in the ethnic violence that broke out in May 2023, Manipur Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam told the Assembly on Thursday (September 3, 2026).
The violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities started on May 3, 2023, after a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organised in the hill districts to protest the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribes status.
Responding to a query by BJP MLA Sapam Ranjan Singh on the second day of the ongoing Assembly session, Mr. Konthoujam said, “Since the violence started on May 3, 2023, 306 people have died, and 49 people are still missing as of August 31, 2026.” Meiteis account for about 53% of Manipur’s population and live mostly in the Imphal Valley, while tribals, which include Nagas and Kukis, constitute 40% and reside mainly in the hill districts.
Also covering this story
One other newsroom covered this event. We read that version too.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in