Manipur CM Khemchand Singh vows to restore IDPs to homes after 2023 conflict
Synopsis
More than three years after Manipur's ethnic violence uprooted tens of thousands, Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh has used a ₹2.19 crore welfare distribution drive to signal that rehabilitation — not just relief — is now the government's stated priority. But with IDPs still in camps and community trust fragile, the gap between intent and return remains wide.
Key Takeaways
Manipur CM Yumnam Khemchand Singh reaffirmed efforts to facilitate IDP return at a welfare event in Imphal on 5 October 2026 .
Benefits worth ₹2,19,25,000 were distributed under the MBOCWWB during the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan .
2,531 IDP beneficiaries received over ₹1.42 crore for children's education in relief camps.
Inter-state bus services between Manipur, Assam, and Nagaland resumed on 21 August after a three-year gap, with 450–500 daily passengers.
The government is holding dialogue with Civil Society Organisations to bridge the trust deficit stemming from the ethnic crisis.
IDPs yet to register for Direct Benefit Transfer assistance have been urged to enrol with the concerned authority.
Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Monday, 5 October 2026, reaffirmed that the state government has been working to facilitate the return of violence-affected internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their homes and villages since the new government took office on 4 February 2026. Speaking at a welfare distribution event in Imphal, he acknowledged the deep suffering endured by innocent people across both the valley and the hills during the ongoing ethnic crisis.
Benefits Distributed to Displaced Families
The Chief Minister was addressing a gathering at the City Convention Centre, Palace Compound, Imphal, during the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan — a programme through which benefits worth ₹2,19,25,000 were distributed to eligible labour card holders, with a particular focus on IDPs. The disbursements were made under the Manipur Building and Other Construction Workers' Welfare Board (MBOCWWB), covering multiple schemes including education support, accidental death assistance, and natural death benefits.
A total of 2,531 beneficiaries received over ₹1.42 crore under the Special Scheme for Financial Assistance for the Education of Children Staying in Relief Camps. Additionally, eight beneficiaries received approximately ₹19 lakh under the Immediate Assistance in Case of Accident (Accidental Death) scheme, while 194 beneficiaries received around ₹58,20,000 under the Natural Death Benefit scheme.
Government's Outreach to Civil Society
Chief Minister Khemchand Singh noted that the administration has held several rounds of dialogue with representatives of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to address the trust deficit that has widened in the wake of the crisis. He acknowledged that life in relief camps is far from comfortable and that the inability to return home is deeply disheartening for those displaced.
He stated that nearly 2,531 IDPs are currently receiving assistance through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) and urged those yet to register to do so with the concerned authority to avail the support. The government has also been holding frequent meetings with IDP representatives to address grievances under Mission Pathshala, an initiative aimed at ensuring educational benefits reach displaced students.
Resumption of Inter-State Bus Services
The Chief Minister pointed to the resumption of inter-state passenger bus services between Manipur, Assam, and Nagaland on 21 August as a positive sign of normalisation after a gap of more than three years. The Imphal–Guwahati via Dimapur route has provided relief to students studying outside the state and athletes travelling for tournaments, given the high cost of air travel. According to the Chief Minister, nearly 450 to 500 passengers now use this public transport service daily.
Political Voices and Official Presence
Rajya Sabha MP Adhikarimayum Sharda Devi lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi's focus on empowering marginalised communities and praised Chief Minister Khemchand Singh for travelling to Jiribam district by road — a gesture she described as a courageous priority-setting decision in the interest of the people of Manipur.
The programme was also attended by Tourism and Art and Culture Minister Khuraijam Loken Singh, several Members of the Legislative Assembly, and Chief Secretary Rajeev Singh Thakur, among other senior officials.
What Comes Next
The Manipur ethnic conflict, which erupted in May 2023, has displaced tens of thousands across communities. The administration's current push combines trust-building dialogue with CSOs, direct financial transfers, and restoration of inter-state connectivity — but the larger question of voluntary, safe, and dignified return of IDPs to their original villages remains unresolved. Sustained progress on community-level trust and security guarantees will be critical to any durable resolution.
Point of View
Not intent. Nearly two and a half years after the May 2023 violence, the persistence of IDPs in relief camps reflects not just logistical gaps but deep community-level distrust that financial transfers alone cannot bridge. The resumption of bus services is a tangible positive, yet it is a connectivity milestone, not a return milestone. Until the government can demonstrate verifiable, voluntary, and safe returns — with security guarantees for both Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities — welfare distributions risk becoming a long-term substitute for a political solution rather than a stepping stone to one.
NationPress
5 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current status of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Manipur?
As of October 2026, thousands of IDPs from the May 2023 ethnic violence remain in relief camps across Manipur. The state government says nearly 2,531 IDPs are receiving Direct Benefit Transfer assistance, and is engaged in dialogue with Civil Society Organisations to build the trust needed for safe return.
What benefits were distributed under the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan in Imphal?
A total of ₹2,19,25,000 was distributed at the event on 5 October 2026. This included over ₹1.42 crore to 2,531 IDP beneficiaries for children's education, around ₹19 lakh to eight families under the accidental death scheme, and approximately ₹58,20,000 to 194 beneficiaries under the Natural Death Benefit scheme.
When did inter-state bus services resume between Manipur and neighbouring states?
Inter-state passenger bus services between Manipur, Assam, and Nagaland resumed on 21 August 2026, after a gap of more than three years. The Imphal–Guwahati route via Dimapur now carries 450 to 500 passengers daily, providing an affordable alternative to expensive air travel.
What is Mission Pathshala in the context of Manipur's IDP crisis?
Mission Pathshala is a state government initiative aimed at ensuring that educational benefits reach students displaced by the ethnic conflict. The Chief Minister stated that frequent meetings are being held with IDP representatives under this mission to address grievances related to children's schooling.
How long has the Manipur ethnic conflict been ongoing?
The Manipur ethnic conflict began in May 2023, making it over three years old as of October 2026. It has displaced tens of thousands from both valley and hill communities, and the government has been working since the new administration took office on 4 February 2026 to facilitate the return of those displaced.
