10,000 IDPs resettled across Manipur so far: Chief secy

Imphal: Manipur chief secretary Puneet Kumar Goel on Tuesday said around 10,000 internally displaced people (IDPs) have been resettled across the state so far.Over 55,000 people were internally displaced during the initial phase of the violence between Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities that erupted on May 3, 2023.Officials on Tuesday said the resettlement process is being implemented gradually, prioritising safety and sustainability. In addition to those already resettled, nearly 4,000 houses are currently under construction, signalling a steady expansion of rehabilitation efforts in the coming months.Goel, in a statement, said resettlement will continue in phases, aligned with ground-level security assessments and the readiness of housing infrastructure. “The resettlement programme is being carried out under a comprehensive Rs 523-crore resettlement and rehabilitation package, announced in the Manipur budget 2025-26 by the Centre,” he added.He said the plan is structured into three phases — resettlement of families with partially damaged houses, resettlement of beneficiaries under a special PMAY-G package within their districts, and inter-district relocation of families between valley and hill areas where return to original locations is not immediately feasible.Goel further added that the govt is concurrently implementing security protocols and confidence-building initiatives. “These actions are being carried out at both the state and district levels, aiming to create a secure environment for IDPs and foster trust among all stakeholders within the community. By addressing both financial and security needs, the govt seeks to enable a smooth and safe transition for displaced families back to their homes,” he added.The chief secreatry went on to say that while adequate security measures are being undertaken by the state govt, effective people-to-people communication should be established as a confidence-building measure, and without that resettlement should not be rushed.He reiterated the govt’s commitment to a dignified, safe, and sustainable resettlement process for all displaced persons.Earlier, Manipur authorities had announced plans to shut all relief camps by Dec and resettle IDPs in three phases by the end of the year.