Jasvin Thinks

Internal Security

Manipur Flare-Up: Clashes Now Span All Major Communities

Between 17 and 20 October 2026, violence in Manipur spread across hill and valley districts and touched all four major communities, testing the State's security set-up.

Jasvin Thinks2026-10-207 min read

Manipur Flare-Up: Clashes Now Span All Major Communities
Swearing-in of Yumnam Khemchand Singh as Chief Minister of Manipur at Lok Bhavan, Imphal, the day President's Rule was revoked (4 February 2026)

Between 17 and 20 October 2026, violence in Manipur touched all four of its major communities: Meiteis, Nagas, Kukis and Meitei Pangals. At least six people were killed in Kamjong, Thoubal and the Kangpokpi-Imphal East border area. A joint security team arrested three suspects on 20 October. A fresh spate of killings had begun on 9 October.

What is happening in Manipur in October 2026?

A new wave of violence began on 9 October 2026. Between 17 and 20 October it spread to clashes involving Nagas and Kukis in Kamjong, Meiteis and Meitei Pangals in Thoubal, and attacks on Meitei and Kuki villagers near Kangpokpi. At least six people died. Shutdowns closed the Imphal valley and Kangpokpi, and three suspects have been arrested.

It shall be the duty of the Union to protect every State against external aggression and internal disturbance and to ensure that the government of every State is carried on in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.

Article 355, Constitution of India

What Happened?

On 17 October, a Kuki man was shot dead and three injured in Chassad village, Kamjong; Kuki groups blamed Naga militants. At least 50 houses of both communities were burnt, and Assam Rifles stepped in. On the night of 18 October, a clash between Meiteis and Meitei Pangals at a music event in Thoubal left one dead. Police ordered a curfew.

Minutes later, an IED attack in Imphal's Singjamei critically injured three CRPF personnel. On 19 October, gunmen killed three Meitei woodcutters near the Kangpokpi-Imphal East border; Meitei groups accused Kuki militants. On 20 October, a Kuki villager was killed in Kangpokpi, and the village authority blamed Naga armed groups. No group has claimed either attack.

Per Manipur's ADGP, a team of State police, Army, Assam Rifles and CRPF CoBRA arrested three suspects in the woodcutters' killing. It recovered 12 sophisticated firearms, over 1,000 rounds, explosives and poppy seeds. A 48-hour strike shut the five valley districts, and a Kuki body called a 24-hour shutdown in Kangpokpi.

Why It Matters

Manipur's conflict since May 2023 was largely Meitei versus Kuki-Zo. It now runs along several lines at once: Naga-Kuki in the hills, Meitei-Pangal in the valley and Meitei-Kuki on the foothills. Each new front stretches forces deployed across districts. The arms and poppy seeds recovered point to the link between armed groups, cross-border weapons and drug money.

Concept Behind the News: Who Keeps Order in a State?

Public order and police are State subjects under the Seventh Schedule. Article 355 makes it the Union's duty to protect every State against internal disturbance. So the Centre sends central armed police forces and the Army to help, while the State police lead. In Manipur, a Unified Command brings these forces together to coordinate operations.

If a State government cannot be carried on under the Constitution, Article 356 allows President's Rule. Manipur was under it from 13 February 2025 to 4 February 2026. The Assam Rifles, India's oldest paramilitary force, works under dual control. The Home Ministry handles administration, and the Army directs operations.

Syllabus Connection

  • GS-III (Internal Security): Security challenges in border areas, role of security forces and their mandate
  • GS-III (Internal Security): Linkages of organised crime, arms and drugs with insurgency
  • GS-II (Polity): Emergency provisions, Articles 355 and 356, Centre-State relations
  • GS-I (Society): Ethnic and communal diversity, regionalism

PYQ Connection

UPSC Prelims 2003

Question: Which one of the following Articles of the Indian Constitution provides that ‘It shall be the duty of the Union to protect every State against external aggression and internal disturbance’?

  1. Article 215
  2. Article 275
  3. Article 325
  4. Article 355

Answer: Article 355

Option (d) is correct. Article 355 makes it the Union's duty to protect every State against external aggression and internal disturbance. It is the constitutional basis for sending central forces to Manipur.

UPSC Prelims 2004

Question: Which one of the following Articles of the Constitution of India says that the executive power of every State shall be so exercised as not to impede or prejudice the exercise of the executive power of the Union?

  1. Article 257
  2. Article 258
  3. Article 355
  4. Article 356

Answer: Article 257

Option (a) is correct. Article 257 says a State's executive power must not impede the Union's. Articles 355 and 356, the other options, deal with the Union's duty to protect States and with President's Rule.

UPSC Prelims 2018

Question: If the President of India exercises his power as provided under Article 356 of the Constitution in respect of a particular State, then

  1. the Assembly of the State is automatically dissolved.
  2. the powers of the Legislature of that State shall be exercisable by or under the authority of the Parliament.
  3. Article 19 is suspended in that State.
  4. the President can make laws relating to that State.

Answer: the powers of the Legislature of that State shall be exercisable by or under the authority of the Parliament.

Option (b) is correct. Under Article 356, the State legislature's powers are exercised by or under the authority of Parliament. The Assembly is not automatically dissolved; Manipur's was kept in suspended animation from February 2025.

UPSC Prelims 2017

Question: Which of the following are not necessarily the consequences of the proclamation of the President’s rule in a State? 1. Dissolution of the State Legislative Assembly 2. Removal of the Council of Ministers in the State 3. Dissolution of the local bodies Select the correct answer using the code given below:

  1. 1 and 2 only
  2. 1 and 3 only
  3. 2 and 3 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: 1 and 3 only

Option (b) is correct. President's Rule removes the State Council of Ministers, but the Assembly need not be dissolved and local bodies carry on. Manipur's Assembly stayed suspended, which let a new government form in February 2026.

UPSC Prelims 2014

Question: Which of the following are the discretionary powers given to the Governor of a State? 1. Sending a report to the President of India for imposing the President’s rule 2. Appointing the Ministers 3. Reserving certain bills passed by the State Legislature for consideration of the President of India 4. Making the rules to conduct the business of the State Government Select the correct answer using the code given below.

  1. 1 and 2 only
  2. 1 and 3 only
  3. 2, 3 and 4 only
  4. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: 1 and 3 only

Option (b) is correct. Sending a report to the President for President's Rule and reserving bills for the President are discretionary powers of the Governor. Appointing ministers and framing business rules follow the Chief Minister's advice.

CDS 2020

Question: Which one of the following Articles was defended by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar on the plea that it would be used as ‘a matter of last resort’?

  1. Article 352
  2. Article 359
  3. Article 356
  4. Article 368

Answer: Article 356

Option (c) is correct. Dr B.R. Ambedkar defended Article 356 in the Constituent Assembly, hoping it would remain a dead letter used only as a last resort.

CDS 2022

Question: Which one of the following is not mentioned as a form of Emergency in the Constitution of India?

  1. National Emergency
  2. State Emergency in terms of Proclamation of President's Rule in a State
  3. Financial Emergency
  4. Health Emergency

Answer: Health Emergency

Option (d) is correct. The Constitution provides for National Emergency (Article 352), President's Rule in a State (Article 356) and Financial Emergency (Article 360). There is no 'Health Emergency'.

CDS 2022

Question: In which one of the following States has the President’s Rule been imposed most number of times?

  1. Bihar
  2. Karnataka
  3. Manipur
  4. Punjab

Answer: Manipur

Option (c) is correct. Manipur has been placed under President's Rule more often than any other State, most recently from February 2025 to February 2026.

UPSC Prelims 2005

Question: Consider the following statements: 1. Articles 371A to 371I were inserted in the Constitution of India to meet regional demands of Nagaland, Assam, Manipur, Andhra Pradesh, Sikkim, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Goa. 2. Constitution of India and the United States of America can envisage a dual policy (the Union and the States) but a single citizenship. 3. A naturalized citizen of India can never be deprived of his citizenship. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. 1, 2 and 3
  2. 1 and 3
  3. 3 only
  4. 1 only

Answer: 1 only

Option (d) is correct. Articles 371A to 371I give special provisions to States including Manipur (Article 371C, for its hill areas). The US has dual citizenship, unlike India, and a naturalised citizen can lose Indian citizenship.

UPSC Prelims 2015

Question: The provisions in Fifth Schedule and Sixth Schedule in the Constitution of India are made in order to

  1. protect the interests of Scheduled Tribes
  2. determine the boundaries between States
  3. determine the powers, authority and responsibilities of Panchayats
  4. protect the interests of all the border States

Answer: protect the interests of Scheduled Tribes

Option (a) is correct. The Fifth and Sixth Schedules protect the interests of Scheduled Tribes. Manipur's hill areas are governed by Article 371C and hill district councils, not the Sixth Schedule.

UPPSC Prelims 2019

Question: The provisions of the sixth Schedule of Indian Constitution are applicable in which of the following states?

  1. Tripura
  2. Sikkim
  3. Nagaland
  4. All of the above

Answer: Tripura

Option (a) is correct. The Sixth Schedule applies to tribal areas of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram. Nagaland is governed by Article 371A, Sikkim by Article 371F and Manipur by Article 371C.

CDS 2024

Question: Which of the following areas has been exempted from the purview of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019?

  1. Ladakh
  2. Jammu and Kashmir
  3. The Sixth Schedule Areas
  4. The Fifth Schedule Areas

Answer: The Sixth Schedule Areas

Option (c) is correct. The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 exempts Sixth Schedule tribal areas and Inner Line Permit areas. Manipur was brought under the Inner Line Permit system in 2019.

UPPSC Prelims 2022

Question: Which one of the following pairs is NOT correctly matched? State-Members in the Legislative Assembly

  1. Goa-40
  2. Uttarakhand-70
  3. Manipur-62
  4. Uttar Pradesh-403

Answer: Manipur-62

Option (c) is the wrongly matched pair. Manipur's Legislative Assembly has 60 members, not 62. Its term runs till March 2027.

CAPF 2022

Question: Which one of the following is the oldest Central Paramilitary Force in India?

  1. The Central Reserve Police Force
  2. The Border Security Force
  3. The Assam Rifles
  4. The Commando Battalion for Resolute Action

Answer: The Assam Rifles

Option (c) is correct. The Assam Rifles, raised in 1835 as the Cachar Levy, is India's oldest central paramilitary force. It guards the India-Myanmar border and acted in Kamjong on 17 October.

CDS 2023

Question: Which of the following is the only paramilitary force with a dual control structure?

  1. Central Reserve Police Force
  2. Assam Rifles
  3. Indo-Tibetan Border Police
  4. Central Industrial Security Force

Answer: Assam Rifles

Option (b) is correct. The Assam Rifles is the only force with dual control: the Home Ministry handles administration and the Army directs operations. Both took part in the 20 October operation.

UPSC Prelims 2023

Question: With reference to Home Guards, consider the following statements: 1. Home Guards are raised under the Home Guards Act and Rules of the Central Government. 2. The role of the Home Guards is to serve as an auxiliary force to the police in maintenance of internal security. 3. To prevent infiltration on the international border/coastal areas, the Border Wing Home Guards Battalions have been raised in some States. How many of the above statements are correct?

  1. Only one
  2. Only two
  3. All three
  4. None

Answer: Only two

Option (b) is correct. Home Guards are raised under State Home Guards Acts and Rules, not a central law, so statement 1 is wrong. They assist police in internal security, and Border Wing battalions guard border and coastal areas.

UPSC Prelims 2024

Question: The North Eastern Council (NEC) was established by the North Eastern Council Act, 1971. Subsequent to the amendment of NEC Act in 2002, the Council comprises which of the following members? 1. Governor of the Constituent State 2. Chief Minister of the Constituent State 3. Three Members to be nominated by the President of India 4. The Home Minister of India Select the correct answer using the code given below:

  1. 1, 2 and 3 only
  2. 1, 3 and 4 only
  3. 2 and 4 only
  4. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: 1, 2 and 3 only

Option (a) is correct, as per the official key. After the 2002 amendment, the NEC comprised Governors, Chief Ministers and three members nominated by the President. Since 2018, by executive decision, the Union Home Minister chairs it.

CDS 2024

Question: Which of the following State/s is/are common to Bru-Reang Agreement, NLFT (SD) Agreement and Tripartite Agreement with TIPRA?

  1. Tripura
  2. Assam and Tripura
  3. Tripura and Mizoram
  4. Manipur and Mizoram

Answer: Tripura

The correct answer is (a), Tripura; the circulated key gives (d). The Bru-Reang Agreement (2020) covered Tripura and Mizoram, while the NLFT (SD) and TIPRA accords were Tripura only. Peace accords like these are one tool the Centre uses in the North-East.

CDS 2024

Question: The Indian Army launched 'Operation Sarvashakti' to flush out terrorists in

  1. Myanmar
  2. Manipur
  3. Jammu and Kashmir
  4. Chhattisgarh

Answer: Jammu and Kashmir

Option (c) is correct. Operation Sarvashakti was launched by the Army against terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Pir Panjal region. Manipur is the distractor option here.

UPSC Prelims 1998

Question: Some people in Manipur live in houses built on floating islands of weeds and decaying vegetation held together by suspended silt. These islands are called

  1. Tipis
  2. Barkhans
  3. Phumdis
  4. Izba

Answer: Phumdis

Option (c) is correct. Phumdis are floating islands of vegetation and soil in Loktak Lake, Manipur. The lake sits in the Imphal valley, the Meitei-majority heartland at the centre of the conflict.

CAPF 2023

Question: Which of the following soil-formation process takes place in Phumdis (floating fields) in Loktak Lake of Manipur?

  1. Laterization
  2. Podzolization
  3. Gleization
  4. Calcification

Answer: Gleization

Option (c) is correct. Phumdis form through gleization, soil formation under waterlogged conditions. Loktak Lake and its phumdis lie in the Imphal valley.

UPPSC Prelims 2019

Question: 'Imphal Basin' surrounded by Manipur hills is a fine example of

  1. Lacustrine plain
  2. Loess plain
  3. Glacial plain
  4. Alluvial plain

Answer: Lacustrine plain

Option (a) is correct. The Imphal basin is a lacustrine plain, formed from an old lake bed and ringed by hills. The valley-hills divide maps closely onto Manipur's ethnic geography.

UPSC Prelims 2006

Question: Other than India and China, which of the following groups of countries border Myanmar?

  1. Bangladesh, Thailand and Vietnam
  2. Cambodia, Laos and Malaysia
  3. Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia
  4. Thailand, Laos and Bangladesh

Answer: Thailand, Laos and Bangladesh

Option (d) is correct. Besides India and China, Myanmar borders Bangladesh, Laos and Thailand. Manipur's border with Myanmar is a route for arms and drugs, a factor in its violence.

UPSC Prelims 2002

Question: With which one of the following mountain tribes did the British first come into contact with after the grant of Diwani in the year 1765?

  1. Garo
  2. Khasis
  3. Kukis
  4. Tipperahs

Answer: Khasis

Option (b) is correct. After the grant of Diwani in 1765, the British first came into contact with the Khasis. Kukis, another option, are one of the communities caught in the current violence.

UPPSC Prelims 2022

Question: Which two of the following are correctly matched? Tribe-State 1. Keria-Odisha 2. Kuki-Uttar Pradesh 3. Yanadi-Rajasthan 4. Paliyan-Tamil Nadu Select the correct answer from the code given below:

  1. 1 and 4
  2. 1 and 2
  3. 3 and 4
  4. 2 and 3

Answer: 1 and 4

Option (a) is correct. Keria is in Odisha and Paliyan in Tamil Nadu. Kukis live in the North-East, chiefly Manipur, not Uttar Pradesh, and Yanadi is in Andhra Pradesh.

Visual Explanation: Four Flashpoints in Four Days

Manipur, 17 to 20 October 2026

DatePlaceCommunities involvedOutcome
17 OctChassad, Kamjong (hills)Kuki villagers; Naga militants blamed1 killed, 3 injured, 50+ houses burnt
18 Oct nightKhangabok, Thoubal (valley)Meiteis and Meitei Pangals1 killed; curfew imposed
19 OctKangpokpi-Imphal East border (foothills)Meitei woodcutters; Kuki militants accused3 killed, 3 injured
20 OctP. Muolding, Kangpokpi (hills)Kuki villager; Naga armed groups blamed1 killed; 3 suspects held for the 19 October attack

Connect the Dots

  1. May 2023: Ethnic violence breaks out between Meiteis and Kuki-Zo groups.
  2. 13 February 2025: President's Rule imposed after the Chief Minister resigns.
  3. 4 February 2026: President's Rule revoked; Yumnam Khemchand Singh sworn in as Chief Minister.
  4. 9 October 2026: Fresh killings begin near the India-Myanmar border in Kamjong.
  5. 17 to 20 October 2026: Clashes and attacks touch all four major communities.
  6. 20 October 2026: Joint forces arrest three suspects and recover arms and poppy seeds.

Read More

Read More

Exam Takeaway

  • Article 355: Union's duty to protect States against external aggression and internal disturbance.
  • Article 356: President's Rule; Manipur was under it from 13 February 2025 to 4 February 2026.
  • Public order and police are State List subjects; central forces assist on request.
  • Assam Rifles: oldest paramilitary force, dual control of Home Ministry and Army.
  • October 2026 violence touched Meiteis, Nagas, Kukis and Meitei Pangals across hills and valley.

Exam Angle

Prelims can test Articles 355 and 356, the Assam Rifles' dual control and Manipur's geography. Mains can ask why insurgency survives in the North-East and how border management, arms flows and drug trade feed it. Use the multi-community spread, the arms recovered and the Unified Command's role.

Possible Question

Practice Question

Question: With reference to internal security arrangements in India, consider the following statements: 1. 'Public order' and 'police' are subjects in the State List. 2. Article 355 makes it the duty of the Union to protect every State against internal disturbance. 3. The Assam Rifles is under the sole administrative and operational control of the Ministry of Defence. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. 1 only
  2. 1 and 2 only
  3. 2 and 3 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: 1 and 2 only

Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Public order and police are State subjects, and Article 355 lays down the Union's duty to protect States. Statement 3 is wrong: the Assam Rifles is administered by the Home Ministry while the Army controls its operations.

Sources & Further Reading

← All current affairs & learning resources on Jasvin Thinks