Guwahati: Manipur is set to close around 350 relief camps housing people displaced by ethnic violence since May 2023, with a structured, three-phase rehabilitation plan to begin this month. The state, which has been under President’s rule since former Chief Minister N. Biren Singh resigned in February, is in discussions with the Ministry of Home Affairs to begin the resettlement process. The rehabilitation will be based on an assessment of how many displaced individuals are ready to return home immediately.
Chief Secretary PK Singh confirmed on Friday that the process is already underway. The number of displaced people has decreased from 62,000 to 57,000, and residents in Churachandpur and Kangpokpi districts have already started returning to their homes.
The rehabilitation plan is set to unfold in three phases: the second phase is scheduled to begin in October, and the third phase will commence in December.
Singh outlined that financial assistance for the displaced will be provided in three categories:
First category: Around 7,000-8,000 people whose homes were destroyed in arson will receive financial support of approximately ₹3 lakh each to rebuild their homes.
Second category: About 7,000 people who fled their villages but whose homes were not damaged will receive assistance to help them restart their lives.
Third category: A group of 8,000-10,000 people, who cannot return to their villages until December, will be provided with prefabricated houses. The state is building 1,000 such houses for this group.
When asked whether the situation had improved enough for displaced families to feel confident about returning to the violence-affected areas, Singh noted that the resumption of farming activities was a positive indicator. “I am pleased to share that both the Meitei and Kuki communities are farming together—sometimes just eyeball-to-eyeball—and they are sharing water,” he said, highlighting a hopeful sign of cooperation between the two communities.
