UKHRUL: Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Wednesday distributed benefits worth around ₹33 crore to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) at the Alternate Housing Complex, National Games Village Relief Camp in Imphal West.
Calling the rehabilitation of displaced families his government’s first priority after the formation of the new administration following President’s Rule, the Chief Minister said restoring people to their homes with “peace and goodwill” would be the immediate focus. He also expressed gratitude to Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla for his guidance in facilitating the return of some displaced families.
In a significant development, the Chief Minister interacted jointly with IDPs from both Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities—marking the first such engagement since ethnic violence engulfed Manipur in May 2023. While physically present at the Langol relief centre in Imphal West, he addressed Kuki-Zo IDPs in Churachandpur and Kangpokpi via video conference, bringing together voices from the hills and the valley on a single platform.
The interaction was marked by raw emotion. A young Kuki student from Kangpokpi urged the Chief Minister to consider her his daughter as she spoke of struggling to continue her post-graduation. A Meitei woman from Moreh pleaded for the chance to return to her home after nearly three years in a relief camp. Another Kuki-Zo woman from Churachandpur described the hardships in accessing medical treatment.
Moved by their testimonies, the Chief Minister assured them that rebuilding trust between communities remains central to his administration’s efforts. “I will not let your tears go in vain,” he said, acknowledging that fear still prevents many from returning home. He stressed that lasting peace would only come through mutual understanding and the removal of the prevailing trust deficit.
Addressing healthcare concerns, he noted the challenges faced by residents of Churachandpur, particularly given that most advanced medical facilities are located in Imphal and many doctors belong to the Meitei community. He cited the recent hospitalisation of BJP MLA Vungzagin Valte in Churachandpur district hospital, when two Meitei Pangal doctors were deputed to ensure treatment without friction. He assured Kuki-Zo residents that those travelling to Imphal for medical care would be provided fool-proof security and said new ambulances had arrived to ease access.
The Chief Minister highlighted the impact of the conflict on education, stating that around 8,000 Kuki-Zo students have been affected. While 2,000 have managed to continue studies outside the state, the remaining 6,000 require special intervention. “We need a special plan for such students,” he said.
Financial relief measures announced include ₹1 lakh per family whose houses were fully burnt; ₹25,000 first instalments already released to 9,314 households; similar instalments to be extended to another 434 households; and an additional ₹20,000 assistance to 9,748 eligible households. A special support of ₹2,420 per person is also being provided to help replace worn-out mattresses and essential personal items. He assured that families yet to receive benefits would also be covered.
ALSO READ: Manipur: TYCM Writes to CM Khemchand
Emphasising that Manipur is home to 36 communities, the Chief Minister urged civil society organisations from both the hills and valley to work together for normalcy. He announced that MLAs would visit all 36 relief camps as part of the rehabilitation initiative and encouraged IDPs to bridge gaps through dialogue and mutual respect.
During the interaction, grievances related to pensions, job cards, resettlement, education, and healthcare were raised. The Chief Minister clarified that special job cards can be officially transferred between districts and advised that pending cases be routed through local MLAs.
The programme was attended by ministers, MLAs, senior officials, and representatives from multiple relief camps across the state—an event marked not only by the distribution of financial aid, but by an attempt to rekindle what many described as a fragile revival of insaniyat, or shared humanity, amid prolonged displacement.