Manipur's displaced people still hesitant to return to their homes

It has been two years since the ethnic violence broke out in Manipur, but fear and apprehension still lurk as people are not yet confident of returning to their homes. Rehabilitation remains the biggest challenge here with 59,414 displaced people staying in 302 relief camps. The government has, on several occasions, discussed long-term solutions for rehabilitation with representatives of internally displaced people, but they are reluctant to return to their homes.

"We cannot return to villages as houses are damaged. Security is our prime concern. How can you keep moving in and out with security cover?" people at these relief camps said. "We have battled two winter seasons in two years and hope that we will be rehabilitated before the beginning of winter this year," said some of them.

A prominent Meitei civil society organisation, 'The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity', is set to organise a public convention on May 3 at Khuman Lampak, Imphal, to mark the second anniversary of the conflict. COCOMI convenor Khuraijam Athouba criticised the Centre for its failure to bring about a resolution.


Manipur has been under the President's Rule since February 13, 2025. The 60-member Manipur assembly has been put under suspended animation. It has a tenure till 2027.

At least 258 people have been killed and over a thousand injured in the ethnic violence since May 3, 2023.