Manipur IDPs Clash With Security Forces in Imphal East Demanding Return to Homes
Displaced residents in Manipur confront restrictions seeking to return home amid fragile peace.
The ongoing clashes in Manipur’s Imphal East district highlight the complex and tense situation surrounding the return of internally displaced residents to their native villages. Several residents from villages such as Ekou, Dolaithabi, and Yengkhuman, who fled during last year's ethnic violence, attempted to march back to their homes amid reports of increased normalcy due to the Sangai festival, which celebrates Manipur’s rich cultural heritage.
The protestors, primarily farmers and local residents, argue they have been confined to relief camps for months, with their livelihoods severely disrupted. Despite assurances of peace and the festival's message of harmony, security forces intervened with tear gas and barricades when residents tried to cross into sensitive zones near the Dolaithabi Dam. Authorities cited security concerns that continue to dominate the region’s fragile peace process.
The villages of Ekou, Dolaithabi, and Yengkhuman are situated near the border with Kangpokpi district, an area severely impacted by recent ethnic unrest. The state government has yet to permit a full-scale return, citing ongoing security challenges and the threat of militant activity. The residents’ demand for safe return is compounded by economic hardship, with many saying they are unable to sustain their families without access to their farmland.
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Despite the tense situation, the state government and security agencies are under pressure to balance the celebration of the Sangai Festival’s message of cultural unity with the urgent need to restore normalcy in violence-affected areas. The festival, which showcases Manipur’s indigenous arts, crafts, and traditions, continues to run in multiple regions, even as displaced families remain in limbo. Authorities maintain that resolving the displacement issue will require sustained efforts for peace, rebuilding trust, and addressing security concerns at the ground level.
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