Manipur government 'assessing security at proposed resettlement sites'

Guwahati: Manipur government said rehabilitation and resettlement of internally displaced persons (IDPs) is its foremost humanitarian priority, and comprehensive security assessments are being conducted at all proposed resettlement sites to ensure long-term safety and stability.

On Monday, thousands of IDPs and volunteers of the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity took out a massive rally in Imphal West district, demanding permanent resettlement in original places. Representatives of IDPs and COCOMI held talks with governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla. They also submitted a memorandum.

In a letter addressed to representatives of IDPs and COCOMI, special secretary (home) A Subash Singh said the resettlement process is contingent upon several interlinked factors, including the prevailing security situation, readiness of resettlement sites, land availability, flow of funds, climatic conditions and livelihood feasibility.


"Rehabilitation and resettlement of IDPs remains the highest humanitarian priority. The process is being implemented in a phased, dynamic and pragmatic manner rather than as a rigid, one-time, deadline-driven exercise," he said in the letter.

The government said it has prepared a comprehensive resettlement plan, covering around 60,000 IDPs under various schemes.

The rehabilitation framework 'goes beyond mere physical relocation and places emphasis on education, livelihood opportunities and the overall well-being of displaced families'.

According to the letter, phased resettlement has already begun under a ₹523-crore rehabilitation and resettlement package announced in the Manipur budget for 2025-26. Phase I focuses on families whose houses were partially damaged during the violence. Phase II covers families being provided permanent housing under PMAY-G (special package) within their respective districts. Phase III, considered the most complex, involves inter-district relocation between valley and hill districts.