Imphal: Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh informed the State Assembly on Thursday that 36,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) have been successfully resettled.
The progress accounts for over half of the 60,000 citizens rendered homeless by the unprecedented ethnic crisis that erupted on May 3, 2023.
Responding to a short-duration discussion initiated by Congress MLA Th. Lokeshwar Singh, the Chief Minister stated that approximately 24,000 IDPs continue to reside in various relief camps across the state.
He credited the collective support and proactive efforts of all legislators for driving the state’s resettlement progress.
Chief Minister Khemchand said that the yearning to return home is deeply mutual among displaced populations in both the hill and valley regions. Recounting his interactions during extensive visits to conflict-affected areas and relief camps, he noted a common, overriding desire across all communities to live in peace and return to their ancestral lands.
To accelerate this, the Chief Minister convened a consultation meeting last month with representatives from multiple joint IDP associations to map out comprehensive rehabilitation programs.
Despite 36,000 people returning to their localities, the state government continues to provide monthly financial assistance to roughly 59,000 individuals.
Explaining the ongoing expenditures, Khemchand noted that resettled families still face severe hardships due to a complete loss of livelihood and economic opportunities.
“Financial assistance alone cannot address the compounding impact of a conflict that has persisted for over three years,” the Chief Minister noted, highlighting the severe mental trauma gripping the affected population.
In response, the Health Department is executing targeted mental wellness initiatives, while the Planning and Labour Departments are developing long-term livelihood strategies, including the rollout of formal labour cards to generate immediate employment.
Urging all quarters to view the crisis as a humanitarian issue rather than a political one, the Chief Minister shared updates on economic restoration.
Following the successful revival of the Imphal-Dimapur-Guwahati bus service, the administration is now actively moving to reopen the vital Moreh trade route.
Identifying the prolonged trust deficit between communities as the state’s most critical challenge, Khemchand assured the House that the government remains fully committed to bridging communal divides, restoring safety, and fostering the social harmony required for lasting normalcy.