Imphal/Nambol, May 3, 2026: Members of the Meitei community and various civil society organisations across the Imphal valley areas of Manipur organised rallies and remembrance programmes on Sunday to mark the third anniversary of the May 3, 2023 conflict, calling for justice, unity among civil society organisations, and restoration of peace in the state.
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| Members of the Meitei community take part in a public rally in Nambol, Bishnupur district, raising placards calling for justice and peace while marking the third anniversary of the May 3, 2023 Manipur conflict. |
In Nambol, a public rally was organised by the United Protection Committee (UPC), a collective body comprising 222 organisations from five kendra. The rally began from Sabal Leikai and proceeded up to Kodongpokpi Lamkhai, where participants gathered and raised slogans demanding justice and unity.
Slogans such as “Manipurgi ngamkhei kaiba yaroi,” “Civil society mayam punsinbiyu,” “No Census before NRC,” and “We want justice” were raised during the procession. Speaking at the rally, Th. Lamjingba, Convenor of UPC, said the programme aimed to highlight the suffering of the people and demand accountability for the victims of the conflict.
Meanwhile, the Federation of Civil Societies Organisations (FOCS), Manipur, observed “Ahumlaksuba 3rd May Ningshing Nunit” (3rd May Remembrance Day) at JN Dance Academy under the theme “Bridging Divides for a Shared Future.” A two-minute silence was observed in memory of those who lost their lives in the violence.
The programme was attended by FOCS Acting President BM Yaima, UMO M. Sorojini Leima, General Secretary of Manipur Keithel Nupi Marup L. Memma, and Oinam Dilip, Assistant Professor of History at Oriental College, who served as the resource person. According to organisers, the event also discussed ways to address the hardships faced by people due to the ongoing conflict and the need to restore peace in Manipur.
In Lamding, youths organised “Meitei Mikap Thokpa Numit” at the Lamding Multipurpose Hall to commemorate the anniversary. Clubs, elders, Meira Paibi groups and youth organisations from five localities took part and paid floral tributes to those who lost their lives during the conflict, followed by a three-minute silence.
Families of Chirom Icha Meitei (38) of Moreh and Tourangbam Rishikumar (43) of Lamding, who died during the violence, also attended the ceremony.
Addressing the gathering, Okram Surjakumar, MLA of Khangabok Assembly Constituency, said the conflict could have been resolved sooner if decisive action had been taken by the Government of India. He expressed disappointment that neither the Prime Minister nor the Union Home Minister had convened a special Parliament session to address the crisis in Manipur.
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Another remembrance programme was held at Yairipok at the Bamol Leikai Community Hall, organised by Arambai Tengol Unit-2, Yairipok. Community organisations, Meira Paibi groups and local clubs paid floral tributes to martyrs and observed silence in honour of those who lost their lives.
According to available reports, since the outbreak of the violence on May 3, 2023, at least 217 people have died, while 58,821 people have been displaced. The conflict has also resulted in large-scale destruction of property, with 7,894 houses completely destroyed and 2,646 partially damaged across the state.
