Imphal West (Manipur) [India], July 22 (HBTV): After more than two years of heartbreak and displacement, several Meitei families have returned to Kangchup, a village in the Lamshang subdivision of Imphal West district, Manipur.
Once vibrant with community life, the village now bears the scars of ethnic violence that broke out in May 2023 between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities. Homes were reduced to ashes and thousands were forced into relief camps overnight.
Today, signs of renewal are emerging. With the state government announcing rehabilitation plans for thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs), many families have begun the difficult journey back to what remains of their homes and communities.
Angom Ongbi Memchoubi Devi, an IDP who returned to Kangchup, welcomed the government's efforts. ‘We truly appreciate the government’s initiative, and we are very happy at the prospect of returning to our respective homes. Living as dependents on others has been extremely difficult and uncomfortable,’ she said.
She added, ‘Life in the relief camps is especially challenging. Many of us have been crammed into single rooms with no privacy. Even in the pre-fabricated shelters, the rooms are too small, and the attached bathrooms make daily life quite inconvenient. We wholeheartedly welcome the decision to allow us to return home.’
More than 50,000 people from the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities were internally displaced during the ethnic clashes. The majority spent over two years living in relief camps, waiting for the chance to return to their ancestral villages.
In Faijang, Kangpokpi district, hundreds continue to live in temporary shelters made from fabricated sheets. While some youth have migrated in search of education and employment, many families remain, with few alternatives.
Camp in-charge Momoi acknowledged that the government had ensured basic amenities. ‘There’s no major hardship here. All necessary facilities are being provided by the government. In terms of difficulties, there’s nothing significant. But yes, we do miss Imphal — we’ve lived there since childhood, went to school and college there, so of course we miss it,’ she said.
Among the camp’s residents is Thomas, a young man from the Kuki community who dreams of becoming a journalist. Fluent in Hindi and having lived in Imphal and Delhi, Thomas spoke of the persistent challenges in accessing basic services.
‘All of us from the Kuki community who can’t return to Imphal due to the conflict have to go to Senapati. After that, for medical facilities, we have to travel to Dimapur, Guwahati, or even Delhi. We IDPs face many problems; some had their homes burned, some were looted, and some lost family members. Many people have also become mentally disturbed because of all this,’ he said.
As Meitei and Kuki-Zo families cautiously begin to return to their homes, their resilience reflects a determination to rebuild. However, true rehabilitation must go beyond physical resettlement. It requires durable peace, security, and equitable access to healthcare, education, and livelihoods.
Only when these conditions are met can displaced families move beyond mere survival and reclaim their lives with dignity and a renewed sense of belonging.
(ANI)