Nine Killed in Manipur as Christians Plead for Peace
Since May 2023, about 260 have died, hundreds of churches were destroyed, and more than 60,000 live in camps as Naga groups join the fighting.
Catholics and other Christians in India’s Manipur state are praying for peace in this month of the Rosary as fresh ethnic violence claims new victims. In the first half of October 2026, heavy armed clashes and ambushes in Kamjong, Ukhrul, and Kangpokpi districts left at least nine civilians dead.
The bloodshed has widened a conflict that has gripped the northeastern state since May 2023. Fighting between the Meitei and Kuki communities, now involving Naga groups, has killed about 260 people, destroyed hundreds of churches, and displaced more than 60,000. Most of the displaced remain in precarious relief camps, with little prospect of a safe return.
A Multidimensional Conflict
Church leaders warn that the conflict has become multidimensional, with no solution in sight. They say divisions are hardening and that violence targets innocent villagers and women daily. Armed confrontations, ambushes, and communal clashes continue to trap civilian populations across multiple districts of the state.
Christian communities have paid a heavy price. Hundreds of churches have been destroyed since the violence began, striking at the heart of worship for hill populations that include large numbers of Catholic and other Christian faithful. In the month dedicated to the Rosary, believers are uniting in prayer for an end to the killings and for the protection of those still exposed to attack.
Strike and Security Deployments
Manipur’s chief minister condemned the latest violence and ordered major security deployments to the affected areas. On October 15, local rebel groups called a general strike known as National Black Day, further disrupting daily life in a state already scarred by years of unrest.
More than three years after the conflict erupted, the humanitarian situation remains severe. Over 60,000 people continue to live in relief camps under fragile conditions. Church leaders keep calling for peace and reconciliation, underscoring that only a lasting settlement can protect the innocent and allow shattered communities—and their churches—to rebuild. The faithful’s prayer this October is urgent: that the violence cease and that every community in Manipur be able to live without fear.