India, March 1 -- The number of active gun licences in Manipur has risen sharply in the past few years, with official data showing an increase from 26,836 in December 2016 to 35,117 in July 2023 and 42,344 at present.

Between July 2023 and February 2026, the number of registered licence holders increased by 20.58%, officials said, attributing the spike largely to the ethnic violence that broke out on May 3, 2023. The conflict has since claimed more than 260 lives and displaced over 60,000 people.

Officials stated that approximately 7,227 new gun licences were issued across districts after the outbreak of violence. Since the BJP-led government assumed office in March 2017, around 15,000 licences have been granted.

Prior to the violence,...