Imphal: Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh said the state government has been working to facilitate the return of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to their homes since the formation of the new government on February 4, 2026.
Speaking at the distribution of benefits worth Rs 2.19 crore to eligible labour card holders, particularly IDPs, under various schemes of the Manipur Building and Other Construction Workers’ Welfare Board (MBOCWWB) in Imphal on Monday, Khemchand said the government has held several rounds of talks with civil society organisations (CSOs) to bridge the trust deficit that has emerged during the crisis.
The programme was held at the City Convention Centre, Palace Compound, as part of the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan.
Khemchand said living in relief camps was difficult and that being unable to return home was deeply disheartening. He said the crisis had caused suffering to innocent people in both the hills and the valley.
Referring to the resumption of bus services along the Imphal-Guwahati route via Dimapur, the chief minister said the service had eased the burden on players travelling outside the state for tournaments and students studying outside Manipur, particularly as airfares remain expensive.
He said around 450 to 500 passengers were using the public transport service every day.
Khemchand said IDPs had fled their homes with little or nothing and that the government was making efforts to meet their basic needs through various welfare schemes.
He said around 2,531 IDPs were currently receiving assistance through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), and urged those who had not yet registered as IDPs to approach the concerned authorities to avail themselves of the assistance.
On Mission Pathshala, Khemchand said the government was making every effort to ensure that IDP students received its benefits. He added that frequent meetings were being held with IDP representatives to address their grievances.
Rajya Sabha MP Adhikarimayum Sharda Devi said extending assistance and support to needy people remained the government’s foremost priority.
She praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of empowering weaker sections of society through grassroots implementation of welfare schemes. She also lauded Khemchand for his decision to travel by road to Jiribam district, saying he had prioritised the welfare of the people.
During the programme, 2,531 beneficiaries received around Rs 1.42 crore under the Special Scheme for Financial Assistance for the Education of Children Staying in Relief Camps (IDPs).
Eight beneficiaries received around Rs 19 lakh under the Immediate Assistance in Case of Accident (Accidental Death) scheme, while 194 beneficiaries received around Rs 58.2 lakh under the Natural Death Benefit scheme.
Tourism and Art & Culture Minister Khuraijam Loken Singh, MLAs, Chief Secretary Rajeev Singh Thakur, MBOCWWB Chairperson and other officials attended the programme.
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