The Manipur government is making efforts to facilitate the return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their original homes, but their safety remains a major concern amid the possibility of renewed violence, state Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam said on November 9.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the closing ceremony of the Manipur International Textile Expo, Konthoujam said the government was aware of the difficulties faced by displaced families and was taking steps to address their concerns.
“The state government knows about the hardship of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) and empathises with their difficulties. It is making relentless efforts to send them back to their original homes. But it is also apprehensive of fresh violence upon their return,” he said.
The minister said the government wanted displaced families to participate in the upcoming Ningol Chakouba celebrations like other members of the community and assured that all possible assistance would be extended to them.
“We want the IDPs to celebrate Ningol Chakouba like others. The government will try its best to assist them,” he said.
Ningol Chakouba is an important festival of the Meitei community that celebrates the bond between married women and their paternal families. The occasion is marked by family gatherings, traditional meals and the exchange of gifts.
Meanwhile, ahead of Diwali and Ningol Chakouba, the state government released Rs 5.88 crore from the State Emergency Fund as special festive assistance for 58,863 eligible internally displaced persons.
The funds were transferred to the designated accounts of deputy commissioners in 10 districts to facilitate the distribution of assistance among the beneficiaries. The districts covered under the arrangement are Imphal West, Churachandpur, Imphal East, Thoubal, Ukhrul, Kakching, Kangpokpi, Tengnoupal, Jiribam and Bishnupur.
The festive assistance is aimed at providing some relief to families who have been living away from their homes since the outbreak of ethnic violence in the state.
Manipur has been witnessing ethnic violence between the valley-based Meitei and hill-based Kuki communities since May 2023. The conflict has claimed at least 306 lives, while several people continue to remain missing. Thousands of residents have also been displaced from their homes, forcing many families to depend on relief camps and other temporary arrangements.
In April this year, the state government had stated that 58,821 people had been displaced due to the ethnic violence.
Separately, clashes between Kuki and Naga communities in the state have reportedly claimed around 50 lives since February this year, adding to the security challenges facing the state.
Against this backdrop, the government’s efforts to facilitate the return of displaced families remain closely linked to the restoration of security and confidence among affected communities. Konthoujam’s remarks underline the administration’s position that rehabilitation and the return of IDPs must be carried out while ensuring that families are not exposed to further violence.
