Ministry of Home Affairs Urges Caution and Patience on Resettlement and Free Movement in Manipur: FOCS Delegation Briefed in New Delhi
New Delhi, May 28, 2025 — In a significant development concerning the ongoing conflict in Manipur, a delegation from the Federation of Civil Society Organisations (FOCS) met with senior officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in New Delhi to deliberate on critical issues surrounding the displacement of communities, the restriction of free movement, and the broader socio-political crisis in the state.
The delegation, led by President B.M. Yaima, included notable civil society members Dr. Puyam Rakesh, manjit sarangthem and another two members . The meeting was facilitated by A.K. Mishra, Advisor (Northeast), MHA, and aimed to provide a platform for civil society engagement in shaping the Centre’s roadmap for peace in Manipur.
During the meeting, Dr. Puyam Rakesh emphasized the growing frustration among displaced populations, particularly in the Meitei community, over the slow pace of resettlement and the continuing restrictions on movement between regions. He articulated concerns regarding the psychological, economic, and social toll these disruptions have imposed on affected communities. “The delay in ensuring secure and voluntary resettlement, coupled with ambiguous timelines, only deepens the existing mistrust and prolongs instability,” Dr. Rakesh stated.
The MHA officials acknowledged these concerns but urged patience and caution, noting that both the restoration of free movement and the resettlement of displaced persons are complex processes. According to MHA representatives, these measures must be approached in phases, grounded in sustained inter-community dialogue and confidence-building efforts to prevent any resurgence of violence or ethnic tension.
Officials underscored the importance of sequencing peace initiatives—starting with security stabilization, followed by socio-political reconciliation, and concluding with logistical processes such as housing reconstruction and land restitution. The Home Ministry reiterated its commitment to restoring normalcy but cautioned against rushed implementation that might risk further fragmentation.
The FOCS delegation also reiterated its demand for the Government of India to issue a clear and unambiguous public statement affirming the territorial integrity and unity of Manipur. In their view, the absence of such a declaration has emboldened separatist sentiments and contributed to the breakdown of inter-community trust.
FOCS members expressed their willingness to support any inclusive and structured dialogue framework that brings together Meitei, Kuki, and Zo representatives in a neutral, state-supported platform. They further requested that civil society voices, particularly those representing the displaced, be integrated into the planning and execution phases of any resettlement initiative.
The meeting concluded with mutual agreement to sustain dialogue between civil society organizations and the Union Government. The FOCS delegation welcomed the Ministry’s readiness to engage and emphasized that long-term peace can only be achieved through a multi-stakeholder, transparent, and rights-based approach to post-conflict recovery.
The delegation, led by President B.M. Yaima, included notable civil society members Dr. Puyam Rakesh, manjit sarangthem and another two members . The meeting was facilitated by A.K. Mishra, Advisor (Northeast), MHA, and aimed to provide a platform for civil society engagement in shaping the Centre’s roadmap for peace in Manipur.
During the meeting, Dr. Puyam Rakesh emphasized the growing frustration among displaced populations, particularly in the Meitei community, over the slow pace of resettlement and the continuing restrictions on movement between regions. He articulated concerns regarding the psychological, economic, and social toll these disruptions have imposed on affected communities. “The delay in ensuring secure and voluntary resettlement, coupled with ambiguous timelines, only deepens the existing mistrust and prolongs instability,” Dr. Rakesh stated.
The MHA officials acknowledged these concerns but urged patience and caution, noting that both the restoration of free movement and the resettlement of displaced persons are complex processes. According to MHA representatives, these measures must be approached in phases, grounded in sustained inter-community dialogue and confidence-building efforts to prevent any resurgence of violence or ethnic tension.
Officials underscored the importance of sequencing peace initiatives—starting with security stabilization, followed by socio-political reconciliation, and concluding with logistical processes such as housing reconstruction and land restitution. The Home Ministry reiterated its commitment to restoring normalcy but cautioned against rushed implementation that might risk further fragmentation.
The FOCS delegation also reiterated its demand for the Government of India to issue a clear and unambiguous public statement affirming the territorial integrity and unity of Manipur. In their view, the absence of such a declaration has emboldened separatist sentiments and contributed to the breakdown of inter-community trust.
FOCS members expressed their willingness to support any inclusive and structured dialogue framework that brings together Meitei, Kuki, and Zo representatives in a neutral, state-supported platform. They further requested that civil society voices, particularly those representing the displaced, be integrated into the planning and execution phases of any resettlement initiative.
The meeting concluded with mutual agreement to sustain dialogue between civil society organizations and the Union Government. The FOCS delegation welcomed the Ministry’s readiness to engage and emphasized that long-term peace can only be achieved through a multi-stakeholder, transparent, and rights-based approach to post-conflict recovery.
