On Thursday, Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh stated that lasting and sustainable peace in the state can only be achieved through mutual understanding, dialogue, and cooperation among all communities.
During a meeting with internally displaced persons (IDPs), the Chief Minister emphasized that Manipur is home to 36 communities and stressed the importance of unity among people in both the hills and valleys.
He mentioned that MLAs from the Manipur Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would visit all 36 relief camps where the IDPs are residing as part of the government's initiative to address their concerns.
Urging IDPs and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to build trust and promote peace, Chief Minister Singh added that while some IDPs have returned to their villages, challenges remain due to lingering fears among certain sections of the population.
He appealed to CSOs from both the hills and valleys to work together to restore normalcy and urged all communities to live in unity and mutual respect.
Chief Minister Singh also distributed benefits to IDPs through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) at the Alternate Housing Complex, National Games Village (NGV) Relief Camp in Imphal West, announcing that approximately Rs 33 crore had been released on that day.
Speaking to the IDPs, Chief Minister Singh stated that the first step after the formation of the new government in Manipur following the withdrawal of President's Rule is to help IDPs return to their homes peacefully.
He thanked Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla for his guidance in facilitating the return of some IDPs.
For the first time since May 2023, when Manipur was engulfed in ethnic violence, Chief Minister Singh interacted with Meitei and Kuki-Zo community IDPs together, both in person and through video conference, as part of the Thursday's event.
On Thursday, the state government organized a joint interaction programme for IDPs from Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, and Imphal West.
While Chief Minister Singh interacted with Kuki-Zo IDPs from Churachandpur and Kangpokpi via video conference, he was physically present at an IDP centre at the Langol Alternate Housing complex in Imphal West district.
The IDPs from both communities shared their experiences, narrating to Chief Minister Singh the hardships and difficulties they had faced over the past three years.
A young Kuki girl from Kangpokpi district told Chief Minister Singh that she considered him her own daughter and that she was facing difficulties in pursuing her postgraduate studies, while a Meitei woman pleaded with the Chief Minister to allow her to return to their home in Moreh.
Another Kuki-Zo woman from a relief camp in Churachandpur told Chief Minister Singh about the difficulties they face in accessing medical care.
The IDPs expressed their hopes and anxieties during their interactions with the new Chief Minister, expressing their desire to return to their homes and lead normal lives.
The Chief Minister's outreach programme was characterized by empathy and a commitment to addressing the needs of the IDPs.
When a Meitei resident of Moreh border town told Chief Minister Singh that she had been in a relief camp for nearly three years and expressed her desire to see her native home once, the Chief Minister said that while he could not provide a specific date, his government was working diligently to bridge the gap between the two warring sides and eliminate the fear of venturing into each other's areas.
"I will not let your tears go in vain," Chief Minister Singh said, adding that the current BJP-led state government's priority is to address the trust deficit between the two communities.
Speaking to an inmate of a relief camp in Churachandpur, the Chief Minister said that he understood the difficulties faced by the people of the district in accessing medical treatment, as most doctors in the state come from the Meitei community, and advanced medical facilities are located in Imphal.
He added that he would never forget the services rendered by two Meitei doctors, including a woman doctor, who visited Kuki-Zo areas despite facing challenges.
Chief Minister Singh mentioned that there were approximately 8,000 Kuki-Zo students who have been affected by the ethnic conflict in Manipur.
He added that about 2,000 of these students could pursue their studies in other states, but there were challenges with the remaining 6,000 students.
"We need a special plan for these students," the Chief Minister said.
Chief Minister Singh also reiterated that any Kuki-Zo tribal who wants to visit Imphal for medical treatment will be provided with full security.
He said that there would be no problems for everyone to receive medical treatment in the hospitals of Imphal, and that the state government would make necessary arrangements for the Kuki-Zo inmates of Churachandpur and Kangpokpi.
Chief Minister Singh announced that special support of Rs 2,420 per person would be provided to IDPs to replace worn-out mattresses and essential personal items.
He highlighted financial assistance measures, including Rs 1 lakh per family whose house was completely destroyed; Rs 25,000 already released to each of the 9,314 households as the first installment; Rs 25,000 as the first installment to another 434 households; and Rs 20,000 additional assistance for all 9,748 eligible households.
He added that those who have not yet received benefits will also be supported by the state government.
During interaction with IDPs at the venue and via video conference, the Chief Minister listened patiently to grievances related to resettlement, pensions, education, and healthcare.
IDPs from Nghamun Relief Camp (Kangpokpi district) were represented by Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen, who belongs to the Kuki community.
The programme was attended by Minister Khuraijam Loken Singh, several MLAs, Chief Secretary Puneet Kumar Goel, Commissioner to Chief Minister N. Ashok Kumar, senior officials, public representatives, and IDPs, among others.