Consider the following statements about the recent ethnic violence in Manipur:
(i) The violence primarily involved the Meitei and the Kuki-Zo communities.

(ii) The conflict stemmed from a High Court order favouring the Meiteis.

(iii) Armed groups such as Arambai Tenggol and Meitei Leepun have been accused of committing rights abuses in Manipur.

Correct option is D

The correct answer is (d) All the statements are correct
Explanation:
· (i) The violence primarily involved the Meitei and the Kuki-Zo communities: This statement is correct. The ethnic violence that erupted in Manipur on May 3, 2023, has primarily been a conflict between the valley-based Meitei community and the hill-based Kuki-Zo tribal communities. The conflict has resulted in widespread violence, deaths, and displacement of people from both communities.
· (ii) The conflict stemmed from a High Court order favouring the Meiteis: This statement is correct. A proximate cause of the violence was a Manipur High Court order dated March 27, 2023, which directed the state government to consider including the Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) list. This order triggered strong opposition from tribal communities, who feared that granting ST status to Meiteis would allow them to purchase land in the hills, thereby threatening tribal land protection under Article 371C of the Indian Constitution. A tribal solidarity march held on May 3, 2023, to protest this order, turned violent, leading to the escalation of the conflict. The Supreme Court of India later criticized this High Court order and observed that the High Courts do not have the right to grant ST status.
· (iii) Armed groups such as Arambai Tenggol and Meitei Leepun have been accused of committing rights abuses in Manipur: This statement is correct. Several reports and analyses have accused Meitei groups, including Arambai Tenggol and Meitei Leepun, of being involved in the violence and committing rights abuses, tribal student organizations have demanded a probe into the alleged involvement of these radical Meitei groups in the communal violence.  these groups carried the flag for the policies of the then Chief Minister N. Biren Singh and were primed to target the Kuki community. There are allegations that these groups led mobs in attacking villages and looting arms. 
Information Booster:
· The conflict has roots in historical tensions, competition for land and resources, demographic changes, and the issue of illegal immigration, alongside the immediate trigger of the High Court order.
· The violence has resulted in over 200 deaths and the displacement of thousands of people, causing immense humanitarian and socio-economic impact.
· Both the Meitei and Kuki communities have experienced loss of life, injuries, and destruction of property.
· There have been accusations of partisan state and police bias in handling the situation.
· The situation led to the imposition of President's Rule in Manipur in February 2025 after the resignation of the Chief Minister.