Imphal: Manipur civil society groups are fed up. The Corresponding Committee of Civil Society Organisations blasted the central government for its handling of violence that began on May 3, 2023. Convenor Santa Singh Shanta Nahakpam said the crisis spans more than three years and leaves thousands displaced. He argued officials wrongly label this a community conflict while ignoring the role of armed groups.
Shanta took direct aim at the Suspension of Operations pact. He noted the state cabinet voted to pull out of tripartite talks with the KNA and ZRA on March 10, 2023. The Manipur Legislative Assembly followed up with a formal resolution on February 29, 2024, demanding the government scrap the deal. Despite these calls, the state government participated in talks and extended the agreement on September 4, 2025.
Evidence links groups under the pact to recent bloodshed. Shanta pointed to the killing of six Naga civilians and the recent attack in Kamjong. Naga lawmakers pinned the Kamjong violence on the Myanmar-based KNA (B). "He questioned the Centre's response to what he described as external aggression," the committee stated. They demanded to know why similar attacks in other states would not face the same label.
Political agendas are fueling the misery. Shanta criticized Union Minister Kiren Rijiju for framing the crisis as a mere dialogue between communities during 2024 and at The Conclave 2026. The committee now demands a clear plan for displaced persons. They want financial aid, rebuilt homes, and restored livelihoods for those forced to flee. Security must come before electoral politics, the group insists.
Updated at 3rd October 2026 at 1:48pm
The coalition now represents 14 different civil society organizations across Kangleipak. Shanta Nahakpam argued that the official narrative of a simple communal dispute ignores the reality of armed militants targeting villages. He explicitly compared the situation to violence in Arunachal Pradesh, asking why the government treats border conflicts in Tirap and Changlang differently than the persistent bloodshed in Manipur.
New details have emerged regarding the September 2025 extension of the Suspension of Operations pact. The updated agreement forces signatory groups to abide by Indian laws, the Constitution, and the territorial integrity of Manipur. Despite these new ground rules, critics maintain that the pact offers a shield for militants.
The investigation into the May 2026 killing of six Naga civilians has shifted, with the state government confirming the case is now under the purview of the National Investigation Agency. Meanwhile, eight of the nine Naga lawmakers in the state assembly have formally petitioned Union Home Minister Amit Shah to scrap the SoO agreement, citing the recent surge in attacks against their people.
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