Imphal: Manipur government has announced that all relief camps housing Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) will be closed by December 2025, as part of a wider push to restore normalcy.
The announcements came amid efforts to address the ethnic crisis that erupted on May 3, 2025, which left over 250 dead and displaced tens of thousands.
Chief secretary Prashant Kumar Singh, speaking at the 2nd Foundation Day of the Manipur State Commission for Scheduled Tribes at Hotel Imphal, said displaced families unable to return to their original homes by the deadline will be allotted newly built pre-fabricated housing units.
A three-phase rehabilitation programme is set to begin in July, followed by subsequent phases in October and December, he informed.
“Families whose homes were destroyed in the conflict and are willing to return to their villages will be eligible for a financial reconstruction package of Rs 1.3 lakh plus Rs 1.7 lakh for rebuilding assistance.”
According to government data, the number of displaced persons has decreased from 62,000 to 57,000, with many families already returning home. ‘To accommodate those still unable to return, an additional 1,000 pre-fabricated homes are under construction’.
The initiative is part of a joint effort between the state and central governments to facilitate the reopening of major highways and ensure free and safe movement. “At this rate of progress, we are hopeful that public movement across major roads will resume without fear,” he said.
Adequate deployment of police and central forces has been made, particularly in vulnerable farming areas. Farmers from both warring communities have resumed agricultural activities and are now sharing water resources, signaling gradual social recovery, he added.
“There is a visible improvement on the ground. I appeal to all civil society organisations from both sides to remain calm and cooperative. While isolated incidents may still occur, the overall situation is improving,” he added.
