Nine Tribals Killed in Lamka Protest Against 2015 Manipur Bills

IN August 2015, the tribal people of Lamka–Churachandpur in Manipur rose in protest against three bills passed by the Manipur State Assembly: the Protection of Manipur People Bill, the Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms (Seventh Amendment) Bill, and the Manipur Shops and Establishments (Second Amendment) Bill. While the government claimed the bills aimed to protect indigenous people from unchecked migration, the tribal communities—especially the Zomi, Kuki, and Naga—strongly opposed them, fearing they would undermine their land rights, cultural identity, and constitutional protections. The bills were widely seen as favouring the valley population and violating the rights of the hill tribes, who already had a long history of political and administrative neglect.

The peaceful protests soon turned violent in Churachandpur town after the bills were passed on 31 August 2015. Several government buildings were set on fire, and in the clashes that followed, nine tribal youths lost their lives.

Here are some of the photographs gathered from different sources.