It occupies a narrow plain between the Vangaitlang range in the east and Sejang hills in the west, covering 2.47 km2 (0.95 sq mi) area.

In 1907, the Jiribam plain was opened for settlement by the Government of Manipur, and it came to be settled by Meiteis and Bengali speakers from the neighbouring Cachar district.

Between Sejang Hills and the Vangaitang range to the east, runs a 2 kilometre-wide undulating plain which progressively narrows to the south.

[20] When the ethnic conflict in Manipur erupted between the Meiteis and Kuki-Zo people on 3 May 2023, the Jiribam district remained relatively at peace for almost a year.

In the ensuing mayhem, the entire population of Hmars and Thadou Kukis from the Jiribam town got displaced to Assam's Cachar district.

[23] The Kuki-Zo villages in the southern hills of the district got cut off from the Jiribam town, which was now under the control of hostile Meitei mobs and militias.

[24] On 4 July 2024, the Meitei militia Arambai Tenggol and the Pambei faction of the United National Liberation Front (UNLF), attacked the Mongbung and Sejang villages.

[21][g] The Kuki Inpi of the region has accused the security forces of using "uncivilised and inhumane" methods by destroying food stocks amidst a blockade.

[9] On 14 July, Manipur commandos and CRPF personnel under the command of the chief Nectar Sanjenbam decided to raid the Kuki villages again.

Assam Rifles forces had to step in to retrieve the body of the jawan and to bring the situation under control.

[21][26] The Kuki leaders issued a statement warning that they would no longer tolerate any kind of atrocities, be it from the Meitei government or central security agencies.

Nevertheless, on 7 August, 135 residents of the Mongbung Meitei village, who had been staying at a relief camp in Jiribam, were escorted back to their homes.

[32][33][34] They said 80 to 100 armed assailants, allegedly from the Meitei community along with the Arambai Tenggol militia, opened fire and set 17 homes ablaze.

[36][32] Imphal-based media printed disinformation sourced to the police, claiming that "Kuki militants" from Zairawn had attacked the Mongbung Meitei village.

[37][38][39] The Imphal Free Press also claimed that Zairawn (Jarolpokpi) had been "abandoned" after the unrest began, which was not corroborated by any other source.

[29] The Kuki Inpi of the area issued a strong condemnation of the brutal killing of the woman, calling it a "barbaric act".