Imphal, June 23
In a stark escalation of global travel warnings, the United States government has placed the Indian state of Manipur under its most severe Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory, grouping it alongside conflict-ridden nations such as North Korea and Afghanistan.
The advisory, updated this week by the U.S. Department of State, warns American citizens to avoid all travel to Manipur due to a “high risk of violence, civil unrest, and limited access to emergency assistance.” The northeastern state has been engulfed in violent ethnic clashes between Meitei and Kuki communities since May 2023, resulting in hundreds of casualties and large-scale displacement.
“Travel to Manipur is dangerous and should be avoided. Lawlessness, communal conflict, and the lack of accessible support services create an extremely hazardous environment for U.S. nationals,” the advisory emphasized.
The Level 4 warning, which is rarely issued for regions within democratic nations, puts Manipur in the same category as war-torn Afghanistan, authoritarian North Korea, and other zones plagued by extreme conflict or state collapse. It also means that U.S. government personnel must receive special clearance before traveling to the state.
Local observers say the classification is a reflection of both the intensity of the conflict and the apparent breakdown of law and order. Humanitarian groups and international rights watchdogs have repeatedly flagged Manipur as one of India’s most underreported conflict zones. Despite claims from Indian officials that the situation is under control, sporadic gunfights, arson, and enforced curfews remain a daily reality across much of the state.
The U.S. embassy has advised any citizens currently in Manipur to leave as soon as it is safe to do so, and to avoid travel through road corridors that remain under the threat of insurgent attacks or community blockades.
