IMPHAL | The Manipur government is working towards the rehabilitation of people displaced by the ethnic violence, but their safe return to their homes remains its foremost priority, Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam said on Sunday.

The minister said the government was aware of the hardships faced by internally displaced persons (IDPs) and was making continuous efforts to facilitate their return. However, the possibility of fresh violence following their return remained a major concern.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the concluding ceremony of the Manipur International Textile Expo, Konthoujam said the government was sympathetic towards displaced families and wanted them to resume normal lives in their respective homes.

“The government is aware of the suffering and difficulties of internally displaced people. Every effort is being made to support them and facilitate their return home. However, there is also a possibility of fresh violence after their return, and that concern has to be taken into account,” he said.

Meanwhile, the state government has announced special financial assistance for displaced families ahead of Diwali and Ningol Chakouba, one of the most significant traditional festivals of the Meitei community.

An amount of Rs 5.88 crore has been released from the State Contingency Fund for 58,863 eligible beneficiaries. The funds have already been transferred to the designated accounts of the Deputy Commissioners in 10 districts.

The districts covered under the assistance programme are Imphal West, Churachandpur, Imphal East, Thoubal, Ukhrul, Kakching, Kangpokpi, Tengnoupal, Jiribam and Bishnupur.

The Home Minister said the government wanted displaced families to celebrate Ningol Chakouba like other members of society and did not want them to miss out on the festivities because of their displacement.

Ningol Chakouba is an important family festival among the Meitei community. On the occasion, married women return to their parental homes and spend time with family members over a traditional meal. The festival symbolises the enduring relationship between married daughters and their parental families.

According to figures cited by the state government, at least 306 people have died in the ethnic conflict between the Meitei and Kuki communities since May 2023, while several people remain missing.

In April this year, the state government had reported that 58,821 people had been displaced by the violence. Separately, clashes between Kuki and Naga communities since February this year have reportedly claimed around 50 lives.

While the festive assistance is expected to provide temporary relief, the larger challenge remains the safe and sustainable rehabilitation of displaced families. Restoring normal life, ensuring security and rebuilding trust among communities remain critical to Manipur’s recovery.