Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Thursday informed the State Assembly that 36,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) have already been resettled out of the total 60,000 IDPs who were rendered homeless during the ethnic crisis that gripped the State on May 3, 2023.
Replying to a short-duration discussion moved by Congress MLA, Th. Lokeshwar Singh, the Chief Minister said 24,000 IDPs are still living in various relief camps across the State.
He also attributed the collective support and efforts of the MLAs for the progress made in the resettlement of IDPs.
During his visits to the relief camps and conflict-affected areas, the Chief Minister said he had interacted with people from different communities and found that their common desire was to live in peace and return to their respective homes.
Taking serious concern over the IDPs issue, the Chief Minister said that last month, he had called representatives of six to seven joint associations of IDPs for discussions on the issue to explore ways to provide assistance and facilitate their resettlement.
Despite the resettlement of 36,000 IDPs already, the Government is still providing financial assistance to around 59,000 of the total 60,000 IDPs.
The Chief Minister said that even those who have returned home continue to face difficulties due to the lack of livelihood and earning opportunities. “Therefore, the Government continues to extend monthly financial support to them,” he said.
The Chief Minister further emphasised that financial assistance alone cannot address the impact of a conflict that has continued for three years.
“The prolonged crisis has also caused mental trauma among the affected people. In this regard, the Health Department is taking steps to help lessen the trauma being faced by them,” he said.
Khemchand Singh informed that he is also discussing the matter with the Planning Department to explore further steps and initiatives for the rehabilitation and livelihood support of the affected people.
The Chief Minister stressed that the Government welcomes suggestions from all quarters and that the issue should be viewed without any political considerations.
Identifying trust deficit among communities as the most important challenge, he assured the House that the Government is working towards building trust among communities and creating conditions conducive to the return of normalcy, resettlement and restoration of economic and social activities in the State.
36,000 internally displaced persons have been resettled in manipur: cm informs assembly
