Displaced Residents of Dolaithabi: Nearly 100 displaced individuals who attempted to return to their ancestral village of Dolaithabi in Manipur’s Imphal East district were stopped by security forces on Wednesday. The area, still considered a high-risk “sensitive fringe zone” due to its proximity to previously violent regions, remains under strict monitoring by state and central forces. This event has reignited conversations around displacement, resettlement, and community reintegration in a state still grappling with the aftermath of prolonged ethnic unrest.
Security Intervention at the Checkpoint
At approximately 7:30 a.m., a group of displaced persons began moving towards Dolaithabi from relief camps near Sajiwa. When they reached Pukhao Tezpur—roughly 2.5 km from their village—they were stopped by joint security personnel, including units from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Manipur Police, and other paramilitary forces. A full company of CRPF women personnel was deployed to manage the situation peacefully and prevent escalation.
Local officials explained that the decision to block entry was a preventive measure. Dolaithabi, situated near the volatile Imphal East–Kangpokpi border, has seen significant inter-ethnic clashes in the past. Officials cited the region’s continued vulnerability and lack of complete rehabilitation infrastructure as key reasons behind the restricted movement.
The Emotional Weight of Displacement
The people attempting to return had been living in government-managed relief camps since 2023. For many, Wednesday’s attempted return marked two years of waiting. Most were Meitei villagers who had been displaced during the violent flare-ups between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities. Their homes were either destroyed or abandoned during the chaos, and they have since been forced to live in temporary shelters.
Speaking through community leaders, several displaced residents voiced frustration over the prolonged restrictions. While they acknowledged security concerns, many emphasized their willingness to cooperate with authorities in maintaining peace—if only they could return home.
One elderly man stated:
“We are not here to provoke or fight. We just want to go back to our land, our homes, even if only to see what’s left. We are ready to rebuild. But how long will we be stopped from returning to what is ours?”
Displaced Residents of Dolaithabi: Administrative Response
District-level officers arrived shortly after the group was halted. They engaged in on-site dialogue with community elders and local leaders to explain the administration’s position. Officials reiterated that while return was not being denied outright, it had to be phased and carefully coordinated to avoid reigniting tensions in a still-fragile area.
Authorities assured the group that the situation would be reassessed in consultation with state officials, local law enforcement, and peace monitoring bodies. There are also plans to create structured return pathways for IDPs once proper safety audits are completed in fringe villages like Dolaithabi.
Why Dolaithabi Remains a Sensitive Zone
Dolaithabi is located in the foothills adjoining Kangpokpi district—one of the epicenters of the 2023–2024 ethnic violence. The village had seen incidents of cross-border arson, clashes between armed groups, and destruction of religious sites. According to the Home Department, the area is still flagged as “vulnerable” under security advisories.
Several pockets of forest and elevated terrain near Dolaithabi have not been fully cleared of the presence of suspected armed insurgents. The administration is reportedly finalizing protocols to neutralize these threats before facilitating civilian return.
Continuing Displacement Crisis in Manipur
Since May 2023, Manipur has experienced one of its most prolonged internal humanitarian crises. Ethnic clashes between Meitei and Kuki-Zo groups led to:
- Hundreds of deaths and thousands injured
- More than 60,000 displaced persons, still living in over 300 relief camps
- Destruction of homes, schools, churches, and cultural landmarks
- Imposition of President’s Rule in February 2025 due to governance breakdown
While active combat has decreased, the post-conflict rehabilitation process remains slow. Return to home villages has been uneven across regions. Areas closer to urban centers like Imphal have seen partial recovery, but remote villages along ethnic borders—such as Dolaithabi—remain out of bounds.
Challenges Ahead for Safe Return
The current incident brings to light multiple administrative and social challenges:
- Security Infrastructure Gaps: Many fringe villages still lack patrolling routes, communication lines, and permanent security posts.
- Community Trust Deficit: Years of conflict have left deep-rooted suspicions among ethnic groups. Rebuilding co-existence remains a long-term goal.
- Livelihood Restoration: Even if return is allowed, villagers face challenges such as damaged homes, lost livestock, and destroyed farmland.
- Mental Health and Trauma: Displaced populations, especially children and elderly, are suffering from long-term trauma and anxiety, exacerbated by repeated relocation efforts.
State and Central Government Involvement
Manipur is currently under President’s Rule, meaning the central government oversees administrative functions. While security management is being jointly handled by Manipur Police, Assam Rifles, and CRPF, civil reintegration falls under the jurisdiction of the Department of Relief and Disaster Management.
Efforts are underway to create a district-level Peace and Return Monitoring Taskforce, which will include:
- Local MLAs (once elections resume)
- Civil society groups
- Religious leaders from both communities
- Officers from the Department of Tribal Affairs and Social Welfare
Future Roadmap for Dolaithabi and Similar Villages
- Security Clearance Survey: All fringe villages will undergo terrain and threat-level audits by the Home Department.
- Infrastructure Restoration: Government support will prioritize reconstruction of roads, electricity, and health centers.
- Pilot Returns: Select families may be allowed to return under security escort during the day, monitored by civil observers.
- Permanent Security Posts: Deployment of armed personnel in sensitive villages, especially those prone to cross-district infiltration.
- Community Mediation: Long-term confidence-building programs will be introduced, including youth exchanges, inter-faith discussions, and cooperative farming ventures.
A Humanitarian Lens
While security remains a legitimate priority, it is essential to view this crisis through a humanitarian lens. Displacement is not just physical—it disrupts identity, community, and generational continuity. For those waiting in relief camps, the desire to return is rooted not just in ownership but in the fundamental human need to belong.
Delaying that return indefinitely, even for valid reasons, must be balanced with active efforts to communicate timelines, provide emotional support, and build legal pathways for recovery.
Conclusion
The decision to stop displaced families from returning to Dolaithabi is not an act of injustice—it is a calculated, albeit painful, choice made to preserve public safety. Yet, the burden it places on those already suffering displacement must be acknowledged and addressed with urgency and empathy.
The people of Manipur have endured cycles of trauma, violence, and hope. It is now the collective responsibility of the state, the center, and the society to turn the page from fear to reconciliation, starting village by village—one home at a time.
External Official Links
- Manipur Police – Official Portal
- CRPF – Central Reserve Police Force
- Ministry of Home Affairs – President’s Rule in Manipur
- Imphal East District Administration
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