Manipur recorded the highest number of violent crimes and rioting cases in the Northeast in 2023, according to the latest report published by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB).
The report highlighted that Manipur — which witnessed prolonged ethnic conflict between the Imphal Valley-based Meitei community and the hill-dwelling Kuki tribes from May 2023 — also registered the highest number of crimes and atrocities against Scheduled Tribes (STs) in the entire country that year.
According to NCRB data, 14,427 violent crimes were reported in Manipur in 2023, a steep rise from 631 in 2022 and 545 in 2021. Assam followed with 11,552 violent crime incidents, placing it second in the Northeast after Manipur.
The state also reported 3,339 crimes or atrocities against Scheduled Tribes in 2023 — a dramatic increase compared to just one case in 2022 and none in 2021.
Manipur topped the chart in rioting and arson cases, recording 5,421 and 6,203 incidents, respectively. It also registered 330 robberies and 1,213 dacoity cases during the year.
In addition, the state reported 151 murders and 818 attempts to murder in 2023, according to the NCRB.
Crimes against women, however, saw a slight decline — with 201 cases reported in 2023, compared to 248 in 2022 and 302 in 2021.
Since May 2023, over 260 people have been killed and thousands displaced due to ongoing ethnic clashes between the Kuki and Meitei communities, which continue to impact law and order in the region.
