Syeda Ambia Zahan
Guwahati, OCt 13: Manipur’s conflict landscape is showing a worrying shift, with mixed border hill districts emerging as major hotspots of violence in 2026. Naga and Kuki communities have borne the brunt of the recent bloodshed, accounting for 73 of the 84 conflict-related deaths recorded between February 4 and October 11 this year.
Nagas accounted for 37 fatalities, while Kukis and Kuki-Zos accounted for 36. Meitei and valley civilian deaths stood at five, with no civilian fatalities recorded in this category between May and October 2026. Four security personnel and two non-local civilians were also killed.
The figures point to a shift in the geography of violence. While early coverage of the Manipur conflict focused largely on the valley-hill divide between Meiteis and Kukis, the latest casualty data highlights the growing toll in mixed hill districts, where Naga and Kuki settlements lie close to one another.
Mixed border belt emerges as new hotspot
The geography of violence has increasingly extended towards the hill areas where Naga and Kuki communities share borders.
The Kangpokpi and Imphal-Tamenglong (IT) Road belt has witnessed reported ambushes, attacks on farmsteads and arson in settlements such as Konsakhul, Makui Asang and Langka Naga.
Kamjong and Ukhrul districts have also experienced exchanges of fire, sniper attacks and village burnings near Litan, Chassad and Ningchou. Meanwhile, transit routes through Tamenglong and Noney have become increasingly vulnerable, putting routine travel, power maintenance and agricultural activities at risk.
The spread of violence into these areas has heightened concerns over civilian safety, particularly in settlements where access to roads, water supplies and farmland is essential to daily life.
Faith and livelihoods become flashpoints
Several clashes in 2026 have reportedly stemmed from local disputes involving religious identity, essential infrastructure and agricultural activities.
On May 13, three Thadou Kuki church leaders were killed at Saheibung Peak. The incident was followed by retaliatory abductions involving 48 civilians, comprising 28 Kukis and 20 Nagas, across Senapati and Kangpokpi, according to the report. While most were released through mediation, six Liangmai Naga men were later found dead at Kharam Vaiphei on June 10.
Infrastructure and livelihood-related activities have also become flashpoints. On May 31, suspected Kuki militants allegedly opened fire on Liangmai Naga villagers inspecting a damaged water supply pipeline at Konsakhul, injuring one person and deepening mistrust between the communities.
Civilians engaged in essential services have also come under attack. On September 23, Paojangam Chongloi, a 36-year-old electric lineman, was shot dead while repairing a 33-KV power line in Tamenglong. Farmers harvesting crops in Tollen, Longpi and Leisang were also reportedly killed in separate attacks in agricultural fields.
The incidents have raised fears among residents who must continue working and accessing essential services despite the threat of violence.
Armed groups and ceasefire arrangements under strain
The escalation has intensified tensions involving armed groups operating in the region, putting existing ceasefire arrangements and neutrality commitments under pressure.
Naga civil society organisations and village authorities have accused Kuki militant groups operating under Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreements, including the KNF-P, KNF-N and KRA, of carrying out coordinated early-morning raids on Naga border villages. They have alleged that the attacks involved the burning of homes and the killing of village defenders.
Kuki organisations, meanwhile, have alleged the involvement of NSCN-IM cadres in attacks on Kuki settlements.
Tensions escalated further on September 24 when a reported strike on an NSCN-IM camp in eastern Kamjong left four Naga personnel dead, including a public relations officer.
The competing allegations have complicated efforts to contain the violence and raised concerns about the effectiveness of existing security and ceasefire mechanisms.
Sept-Oct records highest toll
The violence intensified in late summer and early autumn. September was the deadliest month of 2026, with 23 fatalities, including 13 Kuki-Zo and 10 Liangmai Naga victims. Another 14 deaths were recorded in the first 10 days of October, according to the report.
The reported beheading of a Naga village guard in Makui Asang on October 10 has further heightened tensions.
The rising casualty toll and repeated attacks on civilians have raised concerns that violence could spread further across Manipur’s mixed hill districts. Securing vulnerable transit routes, protecting civilian settlements and addressing alleged violations by armed groups will be critical to preventing further escalation.
The latest figures underscore the growing human cost of the conflict in the hills, where Naga and Kuki communities are increasingly caught in a cycle of attacks, retaliation and deepening mistrust.
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The post Shift in Manipur conflict: From valley-hill divide to Naga-Kuki feud, 2026 data records 84 deaths till Oct 11 appeared first on Hub News.