In a pivotal move following recent peace negotiations, 133 members of the Meitei community, who had been staying in a relief camp in Manipur’s Jiribam district since June, were successfully escorted back to their homes under tight security.
This development follows a key meeting between Hmar and Meitei groups in Assam’s Cachar district last week, where both sides agreed to cooperate in restoring peace and ensuring safe passage for all community members within the district.
As of early August, a total of 768 Meitei individuals remained in Jiribam’s relief camps, while over 1,000 Hmar and Kuki people from the same district had taken refuge in Assam’s Cachar district. The safe return of these 133 individuals marks a significant step towards resolving the displacement crisis.
The return operation was coordinated by multiple agencies, including the Jiribam District Administration, Jiribam District Police, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and Assam Rifles (AR).
In a statement on X, Manipur Police reported, “In a coordinated effort by Jiribam District Administration, Jiribam District Police, CRPF, and AR, Internally Displaced People who were staying at Chingdong Leikai Primary School Relief Camp returned to their homes at Mongbung Meitei Village, Jiribam District. A total of 133 people comprising of 26 men, 45 women, and 62 children returned safely to their homes.”
District officials confirmed the relocation of these 133 residents, which included 62 children and 46 women, from the Chingdong Leikai Primary School relief camp to their homes in Mongbung village, situated about six kilometres from the town centre. It’s notable that many of the younger men from the village had remained behind during the unrest to continue supporting their community.
