Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Thursday informed the ongoing Assembly session that 36,000 of the 60,000 people displaced by the conflict that began on May 3, 2023, have so far been resettled
IMPHAL — Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Thursday informed the ongoing Assembly session that 36,000 of the 60,000 people displaced by the conflict that began on May 3, 2023, have so far been resettled.
Replying to a short-duration discussion moved by Congress legislator Thokchom Lokeshwar Singh, Khemchand said around 24,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are still residing in relief camps across the state.
The chief minister attributed the progress in resettlement to the collective support and efforts of MLAs. He said people displaced from both the hills and the valley share the same desire to return to their homes and live in peace.
Recalling his visits to relief camps and conflict-affected areas, Khemchand said he had interacted with people from different communities and found that their common aspiration was to return to their respective homes and live peacefully.
Expressing concern over the continuing IDP situation, he said he had last month held discussions with representatives of six to seven joint associations of IDPs to explore ways to provide assistance and facilitate their resettlement.
Despite the resettlement of 36,000 people, the government continues to provide financial assistance to around 59,000 of the 60,000 displaced persons.
The chief minister explained that those who have returned home continue to face difficulties due to the lack of livelihood and income-generating opportunities.
He said the government was therefore continuing to provide monthly financial assistance to the affected people.
However, Khemchand stressed that financial assistance alone cannot address the impact of a conflict that has continued for three years.
He noted that the prolonged crisis had also caused mental trauma among the affected population.
In this regard, he said the Health department was taking steps to help alleviate the psychological trauma faced by those affected by the conflict.
The chief minister further said he was discussing the matter with the Planning department to explore additional measures and initiatives for rehabilitation and livelihood support.
He cited labour cards issued through the Labour department as one possible avenue for extending support and creating employment opportunities.
Khemchand said the government welcomed suggestions from all quarters and urged that the issue be approached without political considerations.
On the restoration of connectivity and economic activities, he said the government was working towards reopening the Moreh trade route following the successful resumption of the Imphal-Dimapur-Guwahati bus service.
Identifying the trust deficit among communities as the most significant challenge, the chief minister assured the House that the government was working to rebuild trust and create conditions conducive to the return of normalcy, resettlement, and the restoration of economic and social activities in the state.
Earlier, while replying to a question, Khemchand appealed to the people to adopt alternative forms of protest and agitation instead of bandhs, saying such shutdowns affect a large section of the population, including students.
He also informed the Assembly that a scheme for street vendors affected by bandhs in the State would be launched within this month.