IDPs Prevented from Returning Home in Manipur Over Security Concerns
In a fresh reminder of the fragile peace prevailing in strife-torn Manipur, security forces on Wednesday halted nearly 100 internally displaced persons (IDPs) attempting to return to their homes in Dolaithabi village, located in Imphal East district. The area, which has seen sporadic ethnic tensions and violence over the past year, remains under high security vigilance. The move to block the return of these displaced families has reignited conversations around rehabilitation, security guarantees, and the broader goal of sustainable peace in the region.
According to reports, the group of IDPs primarily belonging to the Meitei community had set out to reclaim and resettle in their ancestral homes in Dolaithabi, a region they were forced to abandon during the height of ethnic clashes in 2023 and early 2024. However, upon nearing the village, they were intercepted by a joint contingent of Manipur Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), which notably included an all-women battalion deployed to help prevent potential confrontations.
Officials from the Imphal East district administration cited “sensitive security concerns” as the primary reason for stopping the return. A senior police official told The Times of India, “The situation in Dolaithabi and nearby areas remains unpredictable. Premature or uncoordinated resettlement could spark renewed tensions between communities and endanger both the returnees and those currently residing in the area.”
This development comes amid ongoing efforts by the Manipur state government and central authorities to rehabilitate over 50,000 people displaced by the violent ethnic clashes between the Meitei and Kuki-Zomi communities that erupted in May 2023. More than 250 people have lost their lives, and countless homes and businesses have been destroyed since the onset of the violence, which fractured the state's fragile ethnic fabric.
Local leaders and civil society organizations have expressed disappointment over the denial of return. Speaking to The Indian Express, a spokesperson for the displaced group said, “We were not trying to forcefully enter. We came peacefully with elders, women, and children in the hope of beginning the process of rebuilding our lives. We had already informed the authorities. Blocking our return feels like a denial of our right to live with dignity.”
Following the incident, representatives of the local panchayat, district officials, and the Manipur State Rehabilitation Committee have initiated discussions with security forces to seek a peaceful and phased resolution. Sources indicate that the government may consider conducting a fresh round of safety assessments before allowing returnees to resettle, ensuring both public safety and inter-community trust.
Meanwhile, human rights organizations such as the Human Rights Law Network (HRLN) have called on the government to expedite the creation of “safe zones” for IDP resettlement and to provide necessary psychological and logistical support. An HRLN statement read: “This incident underlines the urgent need for a structured, transparent, and inclusive return policy. Rehabilitation cannot be delayed indefinitely in the name of security unless there is corresponding progress in reconciliation and justice.”
The Governor of Manipur, Ajay Kumar Bhalla, who previously served as Union Home Secretary, has been closely monitoring the situation. During a recent field visit, Governor Bhalla emphasized the importance of restoring normalcy and rebuilding public confidence, urging all communities to participate in efforts toward reconciliation and peacebuilding.
As of now, the IDPs who were halted near Dolaithabi have returned to temporary shelters, awaiting further direction from authorities. Their aspirations of returning to their homes remain suspended nearly two years after they were first uprooted by conflict. While government assurances offer a measure of hope, the actual path to safe and dignified resettlement remains uncertain.
According to reports, the group of IDPs primarily belonging to the Meitei community had set out to reclaim and resettle in their ancestral homes in Dolaithabi, a region they were forced to abandon during the height of ethnic clashes in 2023 and early 2024. However, upon nearing the village, they were intercepted by a joint contingent of Manipur Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), which notably included an all-women battalion deployed to help prevent potential confrontations.
Officials from the Imphal East district administration cited “sensitive security concerns” as the primary reason for stopping the return. A senior police official told The Times of India, “The situation in Dolaithabi and nearby areas remains unpredictable. Premature or uncoordinated resettlement could spark renewed tensions between communities and endanger both the returnees and those currently residing in the area.”
This development comes amid ongoing efforts by the Manipur state government and central authorities to rehabilitate over 50,000 people displaced by the violent ethnic clashes between the Meitei and Kuki-Zomi communities that erupted in May 2023. More than 250 people have lost their lives, and countless homes and businesses have been destroyed since the onset of the violence, which fractured the state's fragile ethnic fabric.
Local leaders and civil society organizations have expressed disappointment over the denial of return. Speaking to The Indian Express, a spokesperson for the displaced group said, “We were not trying to forcefully enter. We came peacefully with elders, women, and children in the hope of beginning the process of rebuilding our lives. We had already informed the authorities. Blocking our return feels like a denial of our right to live with dignity.”
Following the incident, representatives of the local panchayat, district officials, and the Manipur State Rehabilitation Committee have initiated discussions with security forces to seek a peaceful and phased resolution. Sources indicate that the government may consider conducting a fresh round of safety assessments before allowing returnees to resettle, ensuring both public safety and inter-community trust.
Meanwhile, human rights organizations such as the Human Rights Law Network (HRLN) have called on the government to expedite the creation of “safe zones” for IDP resettlement and to provide necessary psychological and logistical support. An HRLN statement read: “This incident underlines the urgent need for a structured, transparent, and inclusive return policy. Rehabilitation cannot be delayed indefinitely in the name of security unless there is corresponding progress in reconciliation and justice.”
The Governor of Manipur, Ajay Kumar Bhalla, who previously served as Union Home Secretary, has been closely monitoring the situation. During a recent field visit, Governor Bhalla emphasized the importance of restoring normalcy and rebuilding public confidence, urging all communities to participate in efforts toward reconciliation and peacebuilding.
As of now, the IDPs who were halted near Dolaithabi have returned to temporary shelters, awaiting further direction from authorities. Their aspirations of returning to their homes remain suspended nearly two years after they were first uprooted by conflict. While government assurances offer a measure of hope, the actual path to safe and dignified resettlement remains uncertain.
