Imphal: The Manipur government has announced plans to close around 350 relief camps housing Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) by December 2025.
The relief camps have been sheltering people displaced by ethnic violence since May 2023.
The announcement was made by Manipur Chief Secretary PK Singh during the 2nd Foundation Day celebration of the Manipur State Commission for Scheduled Tribes, held at Hotel Imphal.
Displaced families who are unable to return to their original homes by the deadline will be provided with newly constructed pre-fabricated housing units, said the Chief Secretary.
The state government has planned to resettle IDPs through a structured, three-phase rehabilitation programme starting this month.
“The process has already begun. The number of displaced people has dropped from 62,000 to 57,000. In Churachandpur and Kangpokpi districts, people have started going back to their homes,” he said.
The second phase of rehabilitation is slated to begin by October and the third in December.
Singh said financial assistance for resettlement would be provided in three categories. Beneficiaries in the first group – 7,000-8,000 people whose houses were destroyed in arson – are eligible for around Rs 3 lakh each to rebuild their homes.
The second category has 7,000 people who fled their villages to escape violence, but whose houses were spared. They will receive financial assistance to start life afresh.
The last group will have people who are unable to return to their villages until December. “The number can be anything between 8,000 and 10,000. They will be given prefabricated houses to stay in, for which we are building a thousand more,” Singh said.
Singh stated that both the state and central governments are working together to reopen all highways for free and safe public movement.
“With the current pace of progress, we are optimistic that people will soon be able to move freely across major roads in the state,” he said.
On the issue of security, Singh emphasised that adequate deployment of police and central forces is in place, especially in vulnerable agricultural zones, including paddy fields. He noted a positive shift in ground realities, with farmers from both affected communities now cultivating their fields in peace and even sharing water resources.
“There is a visible improvement. I appeal to all Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) from both sides to maintain calm and cooperation. Isolated incidents may happen due to disruptive elements, but overall, the situation is steadily improving,” he added.
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In response to speculation about a possible visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the state, the Chief Secretary clarified that no official confirmation has been received yet. However, he said that several development projects, both within Manipur and in other states, have been completed and are awaiting formal inauguration.
