Manipur Violence: 11 Police, 24 Civilians Killed in 2023, Says NCRB Report

In 2023, Manipur witnessed a deadly wave of violence, with 11 police personnel killed by riotous mobs and 24 civilians killed by extremists, according to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) annual report.

The northeastern state, plagued by ethnic clashes between the Imphal Valley-based Meitei community and the hill-dwelling Kuki tribes since May 2023, recorded the highest number of extremist-related civilian deaths in India during the year.

The NCRB data revealed that 15 police personnel lost their lives while on duty in Manipur, with 11 fatalities attributed to attacks by violent mobs. Additionally, six individuals died during police lathi-charge operations amid rioting. The state reported 14,427 violent crimes, the highest in the northeastern region for 2023.

The ethnic conflict, which has claimed over 260 lives and displaced thousands since its onset, has strained Manipur’s law enforcement and judicial systems. The NCRB noted that 247 cases were sent for trial in 2023, while 5,594 cases from previous years remained pending in courts.