Manipur Cabinet increases ex-gratia for Army, CAPF, and families of missing persons amid ongoing violence

Guwahati: The Manipur Cabinet approved a proposal of the Home Department to enhance the exgratia payable to Army and CAPF personnel killed or injured in extremist violence or actions while operating in Manipur. The cabinet has also approved payment of ex-gratia to the 49 people who are missing since the violence broke out on May 3, 2023.

The Cabinet meeting held on Thursday approved a Home Department proposal to pay Rs 10 lakh each, as a one-time special humanitarian measure, to the next of kin of 49 persons reported missing in connection with the violence since 3 May 2023.

These persons remain untraced despite sustained search efforts. By law, a missing person is presumed dead only after seven years, and documents such as death certificates and postmortem reports required under the Central scheme are not available. The families have suffered hardship comparable to that of families of deceased victims, who were paid Rs 10 lakh each. The total cost of Rs 4.90 crore will be met from State funds


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The cabinet has also approved to enhance the exgratia payable to Army and CAPF personnel killed or injured in extremist violence or actions. The present amount of Rs 2 lakh for death and Rs 10,000 for injury were fixed in 2006 and have become inadequate.

Under the proposal, the amount will be brought on par with those of State Police personnel: Rs10 lakh for death, Rs2 lakh for permanent disability, Rs1 lakh for grievous injury and Rs 20,000 for simple injury. Army/CAPF personnel work jointly with the State Police and face similar risks. The expenditure will be borne by the State Government.

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The Cabinet approved a Finance Department proposal to constitute the Fifth Manipur State Finance Commission for the period 2026-27 to 2030-31.

Under Articles 243-I and 243-Y of the Constitution, a State Finance Commission is to be constituted every five years to review the finances of Panchayats and Municipalities.

The Commission will have a chairman and other members who have experience in public affairs, among others, and a secretary. It will recommend the sharing of State taxes and grants-in-aid with Panchayats, Autonomous District Councils and Municipalities. The award period of the Fourth Commission will continue until the Fifth Commission's action taken report is notified.

The Cabinet approved a proposal of the Information and Public Relations Department to enhance pension under the Manipur Working Journalists' Pension Rules, 1996.

The monthly pension for retired journalists will be raised from Rs 8,000 to Rs 10,000, and the family pension for families of deceased journalists from Rs 5,000 to Rs 7,000. The rates were last revised in 2020 and no longer match the present cost of living. Rules will be amended for this purpose. With 20 beneficiaries in each category, the annual requirement will rise from Rs 31.20 lakh to Rs 40.80 lakh.

At least 306 people have been killed, and 49 remain missing in the ethnic violence that has gripped Manipur since May 2023, Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam told the state assembly on September 3, 2026.

More than 60,000 displaced after ethnic violence broke out between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities on May 3, 2023. The violence erupted after a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organised in the hill districts to protest the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe status.