Violence, Shutdowns, and Peace Overtures Define an Unsettled Week in Imphal

Manipur remained gripped by ethnic tension during the week of October 25, 2026, with fresh killings triggering back-to-back shutdowns across the state. Even as security forces arrested suspects and intensified operations, the Chief Minister signalled a new push for dialogue by announcing plans for a peace committee, while the contentious Suspension of Operations pact with Kuki groups stayed unextended.

Fresh Killings Trigger Wave of Shutdowns

Tensions in Manipur escalated sharply this week when a series of killings set off a chain of shutdown calls. On October 18 a Meitei youth identified as Rakesh was shot dead in Thoubal district. The next day, three more Meitei youths collecting firewood were killed by militants in Kangpokpi district. The Hindu confirmed that the bodies of the three attack victims were brought outside the Chief Minister's bungalow by protesters, illustrating the depth of public anger. Following a three-day strike, a fresh 48-hour shutdown was announced and enforced by protesters in Imphal East and other valley districts. United News of India reported that police arrested suspects in connection with the killings and stepped up security operations. The Morung Express noted that the shutdowns disrupted daily life across the state, with businesses remaining closed and movement restricted across large parts of the valley. Civic groups called on the government to ensure swift justice and prevent further escalation. [1]

🗳️ Peace Committee Announced; SoO Pact Remains in Limbo

Against the backdrop of violence, Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh announced plans to form a peace committee, signalling a renewed effort at dialogue, according to E-Pao.net. The move came as the government reaffirmed its commitment to the state's territorial integrity and ruled out any separate administration arrangement. The Kuki-Zo Suspension of Operations pact, which requires periodic extension, remained unextended amid strong public opposition, with several civil society groups demanding its outright abrogation. Ukhrul Times reported that the government stated operations would continue in areas suspected of harbouring militants regardless of the pact's status. Multiple organisations issued statements and held sit-ins, with groups including COCOMI, MCM, and COPMeV calling for further agitation. The Manipur People's Party raised five formal demands. The situation reflects the wider challenge facing Imphal: how to simultaneously pursue security operations and credible peace negotiations when trust between communities remains extremely fragile. [2]

Archdiocese Runs Pastoral Training to Heal Conflict-Affected Communities

Amid the conflict, the Archdiocese of Imphal took a concrete step toward community healing by organising a two-day pastoral training programme on October 22 and 23. Held at St. Paul's Retreat House and organised in collaboration with the Diocesan Social Service Society, the event brought together around 60 pastoral ministers—including Catholic priests, religious sisters, and lay leaders from across the region. The programme drew on clinical psychology, somatic techniques, and pastoral care to address the emotional and psychological impact of prolonged conflict. Facilitated by Fr. Tony Anthony D'Souza SJ, a clinical psychologist from Mumbai, Nithya Lourmary Joseph, an advocate and psychologist, and Tanya Serrao, a counselling psychologist, sessions covered the neurobiology of stress, the autonomic nervous system, and body-based techniques for trauma recovery. Separately, the Chief Minister inaugurated a new guest house in Imphal to accommodate visitors from hill districts, intended to ease travel and strengthen ties between valley and hill communities. Both initiatives suggest that civil society and government are working, in parallel, to address the human cost of the ongoing conflict. [7]

🎓 ICAR Brings Scientific Pig Farming Training to Scheduled Caste Farmers

In a development focused on rural livelihoods, the ICAR National Research Centre on Pig, based in Guwahati, organised an off-campus training programme on scientific pig farming in Imphal, specifically targeting scheduled caste farmers. The training forms part of a larger government initiative to promote scientific farming practices among marginalised communities in Northeast India. Pig farming is an important source of income and nutrition for many households in Manipur, and improved husbandry practices can significantly raise productivity and reduce disease losses. The programme covered aspects of feed management, disease prevention, housing and sanitation, and market linkages. Participants received hands-on demonstrations and printed manuals. The initiative is part of ICAR's broader mandate to bring research-backed knowledge directly to farmers, particularly in underserved areas. Organisers noted that the Northeast is a priority region for such outreach given its diverse agro-climatic conditions and the significant role that animal husbandry plays in rural household economies across the state. [6]

Sources: [1] United News of India · [2] Ukhrul Times · [7] Catholic Connect · [6] Indian Council Of Agricultural Research