Guwahati: Forty-nine people remain missing while over 28,000 internally displaced persons continue to live in relief camps and temporary locations since the outbreak of the Meitei-Kuki ethnic conflict on May 3, 2023, the Manipur govt told the assembly on Thursday.Replying to a question, state home minister Govindas Konthoujam stated that 34 other missing persons were later found dead.Replying to another question, the minister stated that 306 people have died in the ethnic violence so far, of whom 45 were killed since the formation of the present govt led by chief minister Y Khemchand Singh in Feb. A total of 105 persons were also injured during these seven months. The ethnic conflict in the state now involves all three major communities — Meitei, Kuki and Naga.Konthoujam stated, “Nearly 60,000 persons were displaced during the peak of the violence. The number of IDPs living in relief camps has been reduced to 24,530 and another 4369 IDPs are reported taking shelter at temporary locations,” with the majority, over 31,800, having already returned to their homes.According to the minister’s reply, Bishnupur has the highest number of IDPs in relief camps at 7,892, followed by Churachandpur with 5,195 and Imphal West with 4,395.He stated that 6,288 houses have been built under the PMAY-G special package and 746 under the state’s housing scheme, while 4,159 houses have been repaired and many more houses are under construction.“Security measures have been strengthened in those areas where IDP resettlement are being planned. As and when the security situation becomes conducive, the resettlement will be done. The resettlement and rehabilitation are continuously going on and will be expedited under supervision of the home department,” he stated.On the law and order front, the home minister said that temporary restrictions under Section 163 of the BNSS remain in force in select sensitive inter-district border and foothill areas. “Movement restrictions are limited and situation-specific, with security forces deployed and the areas under continuous monitoring,” he added.Govt said security operations have been intensified across fringe and vulnerable areas, with extensive area-domination patrols, search drives and mobile checkpoint frisking. It has also deployed forces in strategic fringe areas and undertaken the demolition of illegal bunkers.The state said it has stepped up its crackdown on illegal extortion, including action against illegal checkpoints and extortion along national highways. Security forces have also carried out the seizure and recovery of arms, ammunition and explosives, along with narcotics, while sensitive investigations have been transferred to the NIA.The minister stated, “The govt is implementing a phased restoration strategy aimed at ensuring complete freedom of movement, closure of relief camps, rehabilitation of displaced persons and restoration of normal socio-economic activities, subject to continued improvements in the security situation.”The minister said the govt’s multi-pronged approach—restoring connectivity, political engagement, stepped-up security, peace initiatives, rehabilitation and welfare—has helped improve public confidence, restore mobility and advance peace and normalcy in the state.On the resumption of transport and highway communication, the minister stated that the Imphal-Guwahati bus services were resumed on August 21, while escorted movement of goods has also been undertaken.The minister also highlighted his peace and surrender initiatives, stating that 88 cadres have returned to the mainstream, surrendering 48 arms, 558 rounds of ammunition and 394 explosive or explosive-related items. Forty-two KCP-PWG cadres surrendered on July 21 and another 46 cadres of the KCP’s Taibanganba faction surrendered on August 18.On the SoO agreements with Kuki-Zo insurgent groups, the govt said it has relocated and consolidated camps, tightened joint monitoring mechanisms and enforced ground rules strictly. Under the UNLF peace agreement, he stated, govt is pursuing mainstream integration and closure of temporary camps.
