Manipur to shut relief camps by December as state seeks to restore normalcy

The Manipur government has announced plans to close all relief camps housing Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) by December 2025, as part of a broader effort to restore normalcy in the conflict-hit state.

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 Manipur Chief Secretary PK Singh.

The announcement was made by the Chief Secretary during the 2nd Foundation Day celebration of the Manipur State Commission for Scheduled Tribes, held at Hotel Imphal.

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.

The Chief Secretary also outlined a three-phase rehabilitation programme for displaced persons, which will begin in July, followed by phases in October and December.

The government will be providing a financial reconstruction package of Rs 1.3 lakh and another sum of Rs 1.7 lakh to support the rebuilding efforts of the families whose homes were destroyed during the violence.

According to Singh, the number of displaced persons have come down from 62,000 to 57,000, as many people have already begun returning to their homes. For those unable to return by year-end, the government is constructing an additional 1,000 pre-fabricated houses to ensure adequate shelter and rehabilitation.

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.

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.

Additionally, Singh informed that a team from the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) in Guwahati will soon visit Manipur to oversee and implement strict Aadhaar enrolment protocols. This includes issuance of Bal Aadhaar for children and coverage for citizens above 18 years, aimed at tightening identification and demographic monitoring mechanisms.

The announcements come amid ongoing efforts to heal deep social and ethnic divisions following the outbreak of violence on May 3, 2023, which has claimed more than 250 lives and displaced tens of thousands. The government’s phased rehabilitation strategy marks a crucial step toward restoring stability and rebuilding public trust in the affected areas.

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