The conflict in Manipur is a complex, multi-dimensional, deep-rooted and intractable one, which has been protracted for more than half a century. The conflict between Manipur and India has been taking in many forms since the “annexation” of Manipur by India after the “Merger Agreement, 1949” in the course of its political history. The nature of the conflict in Manipur is mainly of a liberation armed movement with low-intensity war against the Government of India. It is a sustained fighting between organized armed forces of India and Armed Opposition Groups of Manipur for each side feels increasingly justified to use violence because the other side is.

A structural violence emerging out of the creation of social and political structures that deprive the rights of indigenous peoples of Manipur in terms of safety, respect, participation, economy, identity and culture, considered to be the base for the existing conflict which is marked by

1. the controversial ‘Manipur Merger’ that abolished the Manipur Constitution and all its democratic structures,  including the State Assembly and  the elected government
2. the subsequent downgrading  of the princely  State to a Part C State (even not a full fledged state)
3. and the imposition of Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA)

The questionable civil, political, economic, social and cultural situation triggered a new generation fighting for the restoration of political sovereignty on the basis of self determination. A fear of Indian homogenization affecting the indigenous identity due to a perplexity in the culture, religion, and script which began in the early 19th century3, and the nature of regional disparity which mainly characterized by a pattern of being a captive economy along with a pressure of  influx population further aggravates the situation. Eventually armed opposition groups (AOG) namely the United National Liberation Front (UNLF-1964), People’s Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK-1977), People’s Liberation Army (PLA-1978), Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP-1980), and Kanglei Yawon Kanna Lup (KYKL-1994) were formed. They have been resisting the situation and waging war against the government of India. Hijam Irawat who struggled for social justice and equality is considered a pioneer of such generation.The movement of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN - IM and K) also occupies a very important space in a multifold conflict environment. Again, the emergence of armed groups among the Kukis and Meetei-Pangan (Muslim) are seen in the recent years.