Manipur violence: RTI reply puts IDPs at 58,881

Imphal: Fresh official data obtained under the Right to Information Act has put the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Manipur at 58,881 as of March 30, 2026, nearly three years after violence began on May 3, 2023.

The figures were provided by the state home department in response to an RTI application filed by Manipur Congress leader Hareshwar Goswami.



In its reply, the home department said that as of March 10, the state was operating 174 relief camps and had constructed around 3,000 pre-fabricated houses for displaced families. It added that detailed distribution data of IDPs across relief camps and pre-fabricated structures is maintained separately by the respective Deputy Commissioners (DCs).

On fatalities, the response said ex gratia had been provided to the next of the kin of 217 deaths, while noting that information regarding deaths of IDPs within relief camps and cases of unnatural deaths is maintained district-wise by the concerned DCs. The reply did not clearly state the exact number of injuries and deaths.

Authorities said preventive measures in camps include regular medical check-ups, supply of medicines and counselling services to address health risks and psychological distress. Data on terminally ill inmates is also handled at the district level, the response said.

The govt reported extensive property damage since the outbreak of violence, with 7,894 permanent houses destroyed and 2,646 houses partially damaged.

On funding, the response said the MHA approved Rs 424.36 crore as special assistance for operation of relief camps, with Rs 217.4 crore released to the state and Rs 284.6 crore disbursed to district authorities. It also said the MHA approved a rehabilitation and resettlement package of Rs 523 crore, with Rs 124.50 crore released by the MHA and Rs 65.16 crore passed on to DCs.

Goswami said he was not fully satisfied with parts of the RTI response and alleged the official data shows the BJP-led govt is ‘not serious’ about the rehabilitation and resettlement of displaced persons.

On Tuesday, the Manipur Information Commission directed the SPIO/joint secretary (jome), government of Manipur, to furnish complete and consolidated state-level information within 15 days on the total number of IDPs in pre-fabricated houses/structures and relief camps, total number of IDPs who died in relief camps and pre-fabricated houses/structures since May 3, total number of unnatural deaths in relief camps and pre-fabricated houses till date, and the total number of inmates suffering from terminal diseases/incurable illness along with the assistance provided for treatment.
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