Displaced families barred from returning to village in Imphal East; President’s Rule likely to be extended in Manipur

Security forces on Wednesday stopped around 100 displaced individuals from returning to their native Dolaithabi village in Imphal East district, as tensions persist in Manipur over a year since ethnic violence first erupted.

The group, currently sheltered in a relief camp, was intercepted at Pukhao Bazar, approximately 2.5 km from Dolaithabi, which lies close to conflict-sensitive areas bordering the Kuki-majority Kangpokpi district. Officials said the move was precautionary, citing the fragile security environment. During the conflict, several violent incidents were reported from areas along the Imphal East-Kangpokpi border.

This incident comes amid a state-level push for phased resettlement of internally displaced persons. Manipur Chief Secretary (outgoing) Prashant Kumar Singh recently stated that the government plans to shut down all relief camps after completing a three-phase rehabilitation plan. “The number of displaced, which was 62,000 in the beginning, is now about 57,000. People have started going back,” he had said, following visits to Churachandpur and Kangpokpi districts, according to The New Indian Express.

New Chief Secretary appointed as Centre Mulls President’s Rule extension
Meanwhile, the Centre on Wednesday appointed Puneet Kumar Goel, a 1991-batch IAS officer from the AGMUT cadre, as the new Chief Secretary of Manipur. He replaces Prashant Kumar Singh, who has been assigned as Secretary of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST). Mr. Goel becomes the fourth officer to assume the role since the ethnic conflict began in May 2023.

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) cleared Mr. Goel’s inter-cadre deputation to Manipur till August 31, 2026, overriding standard policy norms.

With the Manipur Legislative Assembly still under suspended animation, the Centre is likely to extend President’s Rule in the state beyond its initial six-month term, which ends on August 13. Sources indicate a fresh proclamation may be tabled during the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament, which begins July 21.

President’s Rule under Article 356 of the Constitution can be extended every six months for up to three years with parliamentary approval. Manipur was placed under President’s Rule on February 13, 2025.

No progress on National Highway access amid ongoing standoff
Despite enhanced security measures, significant challenges remain. Over 6,000 police weapons looted during the conflict remain unaccounted for, and there has been no breakthrough in reopening National Highways 2 and 37. These roads—critical lifelines for the landlocked Imphal valley—remain inaccessible to Meitei residents, as they pass through Kuki-Zo inhabited regions.

Since May 2023, ethnic violence between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities has claimed more than 250 lives and displaced over 60,000 people. While the Ministry of Home Affairs continues to facilitate dialogues with civil society groups from both communities, lasting peace and full-scale rehabilitation remain elusive.

(With inputs from NIE and The Hindu)

MT