Protests Erupt in Manipur Over Medical Treatment for Injured Youth

Protests broke out on Monday, June 15, 2026, in Imphal, the capital of Manipur, as security forces confronted a mob opposing medical care for three Kuki youths injured in an armed confrontation. Security personnel deployed tear gas and batons to disperse the crowd outside the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), where the trio had been admitted. According to local officials, the youths were hurt during a gunfight that occurred between the villages of Leilon Vaiphei and Konsakhul at around 6 a.m. The conflict reportedly lasted for approximately 30 minutes before law enforcement arrived at the scene.

The Kuki Inpi Manipur (KIM), a prominent body representing Kuki tribes, attributed the incident to the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (NSCN) and its affiliates, notably the Kamson faction of the Zeliangrong United Front. The NSCN is often recognised as the Isak-Muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland.

News of the injured individuals' arrival at RIMS prompted the gathering of a large crowd, which vehemently protested against their treatment, labelling the youth as extremists. Demonstrators expressed dissatisfaction over their transport to the hospital by security forces, chanting slogans of disapproval.

However, Kuki organisations have clarified that those injured — Genlengmang Vaiphei, Paogoulal, both teenagers, and 20-year-old Lunliandaw Vaiphei — were students and local volunteer contributors to their communities. Following the protests, the Leimakhong Area Chief’s Organisation called upon authorities to guarantee the medical safety of the injured youths. KIM voiced deep concerns regarding their protection, condemning any violence against civilians as unacceptable and a direct challenge to the rule of law.

In a statement released, KIM said, “The people of Leilon Vaiphei and surrounding areas cannot be expected to live under fear while armed groups continue to operate with apparent freedom and impunity.” The organisation is demanding immediate action from the government and security forces to identify, arrest, and prosecute those responsible for the attack.

The Vaiphei People’s Council indicated that this incident reflects an ongoing pattern of assaults on Kuki villages, accusing perpetrators of deliberately targeting civilian enclaves and instilling fear among innocents.

Ethnic tensions in Manipur have escalated since May 2023, primarily between the non-tribal Meitei community, dominant in the Imphal Valley, and the Kuki-Zo tribes that inhabit the surrounding hills. The situation deteriorated further after a violent incident on May 13, when unidentified gunmen ambushed and murdered three church leaders from the Thadou community in Kangpokpi district. A segment of the Thadou community resents being classified under the Kuki designation.

This incident spurred a hostage crisis, with alleged Kuki extremists abducting 18 Nagas from Leilon Vaiphei village. While 12 were released two days later, the remains of six abduction victims were discovered last week, igniting further outrage among the Naga community. Since the onset of ethnic conflicts in Manipur, over 270 lives have been lost and more than 62,000 individuals displaced.