'The state and central governments can restore some public confidence by getting serious about investigating and prosecuting these killings and ensuring that justice is done.'

Nearly 30 armed groups are estimated to operate in Manipur. Some have such a strong hold over Manipuri society that ordinary citizens have been forced to build alliances with them to ensure protection.

The armed groups routinely extract 'taxes' from people, even including government officials, and carry out abductions for ransom. These groups have also been implicated in killings.