Imphal: The Centre and Manipur governments have sanctioned a combined Rs 1,556.53 crore for relief and rehabilitation measures for people displaced by the violence that erupted in the state on May 3, 2023.
Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh recently said the conflict displaced around 60,000 people. Of them, approximately 36,000 have either returned to their homes or been resettled, while around 24,000 continue to stay in relief camps.
The government is also providing monthly financial assistance to nearly 59,000 displaced people, including those who have returned home but continue to face serious livelihood difficulties.
According to the Home Department, the overall funding comprises Rs 789.72 crore sanctioned by the Central Government and Rs 768.81 crore released by the State Government.
The Centre issued its sanction orders between August 9, 2023, and March 27, 2026. The funds have been utilised for relief camp operations, temporary shelters, permanent housing and other rehabilitation measures.
More than Rs 111 crore was sanctioned for the operation of relief camps, including expenditure on supplementary nutrition, personal hygiene items and television sets.
The Centre also sanctioned Rs 122.17 crore in three instalments for the construction of 3,000 temporary shelters. A further Rs 119 crore was approved in two instalments for permanent housing, while another Rs 217.14 crore was allocated for broader relief and rehabilitation activities.
For families who lost household belongings during the violence, Rs 70 crore was sanctioned as initial compensation for 7,000 families. The amount was divided equally between families whose houses were completely destroyed and those whose homes were partially burnt.
The Manipur government issued 129 sanction orders amounting to Rs 768.81 crore between September 9, 2023, and May 5, 2026. The funds were routed directly to district authorities for relief and rehabilitation activities.
In seven phases, Rs 48.01 crore was provided to Deputy Commissioners of 11 affected districts, including Imphal West, Imphal East, Churachandpur and Kangpokpi.
The state also sanctioned Rs 3.33 crore across 10 districts for purchasing television sets for relief camps. Churachandpur received the largest share, with an allocation of Rs 1.17 crore.
The state government has also provided compensation to farmers who were unable to cultivate paddy because of the conflict.
In the first phase, Rs 18.37 crore was released to 3,480 farmers in February 2024. Another crop assistance package worth Rs 13.30 crore was distributed to Deputy Commissioners of 10 districts in October 2024.
Chandel district received an additional crop package of Rs 32.95 lakh.
Sources said some expenditure incurred by the state on housing and financial assistance has subsequently been reimbursed by the Central Government.