Manipur to provide ₹10 lakh relief to families of 49 missing persons

The Manipur Cabinet has approved special financial assistance for the next of kin of 49 individuals who disappeared during the communal violence that began in 2023, according to a government announcement made Thursday. Each family will receive ₹10 lakh as a one-time humanitarian measure, marking a significant step toward supporting those affected by the prolonged conflict.

Government spokesperson Sapam Ranjan Singh confirmed the Cabinet decision, characterizing the financial assistance as a special humanitarian initiative. The move comes as families of the missing persons have continued to appeal for support and information about their whereabouts, with the prolonged absence creating significant hardship.

Manipur has been grappling with severe ethnic tensions since May 2023, which have claimed hundreds of lives and displaced thousands of residents. The violence, primarily between the valley-based Meitei community and the hill-based Kuki tribes, has created a humanitarian crisis with multiple reports of missing persons, abductions, and deaths.

While the financial assistance represents government recognition of the families' plight, it remains unclear whether it will lead to concrete steps toward locating the missing individuals. Advocacy groups and civil society organizations have repeatedly called for a comprehensive investigation into disappearances and stricter accountability measures.