Ensure dignity, way back for Manipur’s displaced

The Supreme Court's shock over reports of unnatural deaths in Manipur's relief camps for internally displaced people (IDPs) should serve as a wake-up call for the central government and the state administration. The issue of IDPs staying in camps for extended periods has been a persistent problem for over three years. These camps, despite being temporary solutions, have become a breeding ground for vulnerabilities, especially in terms of healthcare access.

Manipur's healthcare infrastructure is heavily focused in Imphal, with only two tertiary hospitals in the capital. When ethnic clashes led to segregation, people from the Kuki-Zo tribe in the hills could no longer access these hospitals easily. A 2023 report highlighted that some patients had to travel over 12 hours to Aizawl for medical care.

Blockades have further exacerbated the situation, hindering both patient travel and the delivery of essential supplies. The food in many camps is nutritionally insufficient, turning these shelters into inadequate substitutes for homes. As of the latest figures, there are 28,899 IDPs in camps, down from a peak of nearly 60,000. However, the state must do more to ensure these camps have sufficient medical staff, medication, and other necessities.

Until a durable solution to the Meitei-Kuki conflict, which now has Naga-Kuki dimensions, is found, ensuring a safe and dignified rehabilitation for the displaced will remain a challenge. Dialogue and confidence-building measures are crucial to achieving a political resolution that ends the violence and allows displaced individuals to regain their lives with security and dignity.