Manipur Government Approves Rs 10 Lakh Compensation for Families of 49 Missing Persons

The Manipur state government has announced a one-time humanitarian compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the next of kin of 49 individuals who remain missing following the outbreak of ethnic conflict in May 2023^[1]. The decision was formally approved during a state Cabinet meeting held on Thursday, with officials acknowledging the profound hardships faced by these families over the past year and a half.

Under standard legal procedures, a missing person is typically presumed dead only after seven years. Because the families lack official death certificates and postmortem reports, they have been entirely excluded from Central scheme benefits^[2]. However, recognizing that these families are enduring struggles comparable to the relatives of deceased victims—who also received Rs 10 lakh—the state government decided to extend the same financial assistance. The total financial implication of Rs 4.90 crore will be borne entirely by the Manipur state government.

While official records did not explicitly disclose the community profiles of the 49 missing individuals, local sources indicate that at least 33 belong to the Meitei community, with the remaining individuals belonging to the Naga and Kuki communities^[3]. Since the conflict began, more than 300 lives have been lost across the region.

Demands for Alternative Livelihoods

The financial assistance, while welcomed, has drawn calls for more sustainable long-term support. According to R.K. Bijayalaxmi Devi, president of the NGO Souls Offered Unitedly for a Lustrated Society (SOULS), almost all of the missing individuals—with the exception of four students—were the sole breadwinners for their households^[4].

Devi emphasized that Rs 10 lakh is insufficient to sustain these families permanently. The NGO has formally requested the government to provide government jobs to the next of kin, alongside alternative means of livelihood in the interim period^[5]. For months, these families have waited for closure and justice, previously unable to access standard relief packages due to the absence of official death documentation.

Enhanced Ex-Gratia for Security Forces and Additional Cabinet Decisions

In addition to humanitarian aid for civilian families, the Manipur Cabinet approved a substantial increase in ex-gratia payments for Army and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel killed or injured while operating in the state. Recognizing that central forces face the same operational risks as the state police, the government aligned their compensation rates accordingly:

• Death: Rs 10 lakh (up from Rs 2 lakh)

• Permanent Disability: Rs 2 lakh

• Grievous Injury: Rs 1 lakh

• Simple Injury: Rs 20,000 (up from Rs 10,000)

The Cabinet also approved the constitution of the Fifth Manipur State Finance Commission (spanning 2026-27 to 2030-31) and sanctioned a pension hike for retired journalists, raising their monthly pension from Rs 8,000 to Rs 10,000.

Footnotes

1. "49 people missing since Manipur conflict remain untraced; state govt to offer Rs 10 lakh to each family," Deccan Herald, accessed October 3, 2026, https://www.deccanherald.com/india/manipur/49-people-missing-since-manipur-conflict-remain-untraced-state-govt-to-offer-rs-10-lakh-to-each-family-4168437.

2. "49 people missing since Manipur conflict remain untraced," Deccan Herald.

3. "49 people missing since Manipur conflict remain untraced," Deccan Herald.

4. "49 people missing since Manipur conflict remain untraced," Deccan Herald.

5. "49 people missing since Manipur conflict remain untraced," Deccan Herald.

Bibliography

"49 people missing since Manipur conflict remain untraced; state govt to offer Rs 10 lakh to each family." Deccan Herald. Accessed October 3, 2026. https://www.deccanherald.com/india/manipur/49-people-missing-since-manipur-conflict-remain-untraced-state-govt-to-offer-rs-10-lakh-to-each-family-4168437.

"Kin of Manipur’s 49 people missing since 2023 ethnic conflict to get ₹10 lakh each." The Hindu. October 2, 2026. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/manipur/kin-of-manipurs-49-people-missing-since-2023-ethnic-conflict-to-get-10-lakh-each/article71535748.ece.

"Manipur Cabinet approves Rs 10 lakh aid for kin of 49 missing since 2023 violence." India Today. October 1, 2026. https://www.indiatoday.in/india/manipur/story/manipur-cabinet-rs-10-lakh-aid-49-missing-2023-violence-3007774-2026-10-01.

The Indigenous Identity of the Rongmei Tribe: A Socio-Legal Analysis

Introduction

The discourse on indigenous identity in Northeast India is a complex tapestry of historical continuity and legal classification. Central to this discussion is the Rongmei Naga tribe, a group whose presence across Nagaland, Manipur, and Assam defines the regional socio-political landscape. As part of the broader Zeliangrong community—comprising the Zeme, Liangmai, and Rongmei sub-tribes—the Rongmei people embody the criteria for "Indigenous Peoples" as framed by international standards and regional traditions.

I. Defining the Indigenous: Global and Local Frameworks

The United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) identifies indigenous peoples as distinctive groups with historical ties to a particular territory prior to later settlement or occupation.1 These groups are characterized by a close attachment to ancestral lands, the presence of customary institutions, and a distinct language.2 On an individual basis, an indigenous person is defined through self-identification and acceptance by the indigenous community.3

In the context of Manipur, "indigenous" status is often linked to the "Yek Salai" system—a clan classification historically recognized by the monarchy.4 The Manipur kings, starting from 33 CE, assigned this unique identity to indigenous communities.5 Consequently, those belonging to the recognized Yek Salais are regarded as the original inhabitants or "First Settlers" of the region.6

II. The Rongmei Tribe and the Zeliangrong Heritage

The Rongmei people are an integral part of the Zeliangrong collective, which emphasizes the common ancestry shared by the Zeme, Liangmai, and Rongmei.7

• Ancestral Continuity: The Rongmei tribe maintains a deep historical connection to the hills of Manipur and adjacent areas in Nagaland and Assam.8

• Archaeological Ties: Scientific excavations at sites like the Tharon Cave—historically linked to the Liangmai Nagas—indicate human settlement in these hill regions dating back at least 23,000 to 25,000 years.9

• Historical Integration: The Rongmei (often grouped with Kabui and Inpui in older records) have been recognized as indigenous to the region for millennia, with a written history in Manipur stretching back over 3,000 years.10

III. Legal Status: The Scheduled Tribe List

While the Indian Constitution does not explicitly define "Indigenous People," Article 366(25) refers to "Scheduled Tribes" as those communities notified under Article 342.11 The Supreme Court of India has unequivocally asserted that "Scheduled Tribes are indigenous peoples of India."12 In Manipur, the legal recognition of tribes is cataloged through census records and presidential notifications.

Scheduled Tribes in Manipur (Selected Groups as per 2001 Census)13

1. Rongmei, Kabui, Inpui: Grouped together (Population: 62,216).

2. Liangmai, Zeme, Kacha Naga: Grouped together (Population: 20,328).

3. Other Naga Tribes: Tangkhul (112,944), Mao (38,350), Maram (10,510), Poumai (78,249), Maring (17,361), and Thangal (1,200).

4. Kuki-Chin-Mizo Tribes: Thadou (115,045), Hmar (42,690), Paite (44,861), Vaiphei (27,791), and Zou (19,112).

5. Neighbouring Groups: Aimol (3,643), Anal (13,853), Chiru (5,487), Chothe (2,675), Gangte (15,100), and Kom (15,467).

IV. Regional Nuances: Nagaland and Assam

The status of the Rongmei tribe varies across state borders, leading to complex identity debates.

• Nagaland: In Nagaland, the definition of an indigenous inhabitant is often strictly tied to "Naga blood" and birth within the state.14 Former Chief Minister S.C. Jamir noted that while a Naga from Manipur is indigenous in their home state, they do not automatically hold indigenous status in Nagaland.15

• Assam: In the Cachar and Dima Hasao districts of Assam, the Rongmei are recognized as a Scheduled Tribe, maintaining their identity as part of the broader indigenous fabric of the state.

V. Land Rights and Customary Governance

For the Rongmei and their Zeliangrong kin, land is a sacred heritage. The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) affirms the right of such groups to own, use, and control lands traditionally possessed.16

• Ancestral Land Claims: Unlike groups historically categorized as "Aliens and Refugees" in British-era standing orders—such as specific Kuki settlements mentioned in the 1941 Standing Order—the Rongmei are recognized as original occupants with established ancestral villages.17

• Customary Institutions: The maintenance of distinct juridical and social systems is a key marker of Rongmei indigenous identity, allowing them to practice and revitalize their cultural traditions.18

Conclusion

The Rongmei tribe, alongside the Zeme and Liangmai, represents a cornerstone of indigenous heritage in Northeast India. Their identity is defined by a deep historical continuity in their ancestral lands and a robust cultural framework recognized by traditional systems like the Yek Salai. While the Indian legal framework focuses on the "Scheduled Tribe" designation, the Rongmei's claim to being "Indigenous" is rooted in millennia of residence and spiritual connection to the land.

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Footnotes

1 Fifteenth Session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII), Report on Indigenous Issues, May 2016.

2 Summary of Resolutions of Workshop on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Struggle for Right of Self-determination and Self-government in India, UN Doc. E/CN.4/sub.2/AC. 4/1994 /4/Add. 1.

3 UNPFII, Report on Indigenous Issues, 2016.

4 Federation of Haomee (FOH), Resolution on Indigenous Communities and the Yek Salai System, 2019.

5 Manipur State Constitution Act, 1947.

6 FOH, Resolution on Indigenous Communities, 2019.

7 M.T. Laiba, Geography of Manipur, (Imphal: Angomcha Longjam Langmeiba Thangmeiband, 1996).

8 Ibid.

9 O. Kumar Singh, Archaeological Finds in Manipur Caves, (Imphal: Anthropological Survey, 1983).

10 Laiba, Geography of Manipur, 1996.

11 Constitution of India, Art. 366(25).

12 Supreme Court of India, Kailas & Others v. State of Maharashtra, Criminal Appellate Jurisdiction, January 5, 2011.

13 Census of India 2001, Scheduled Tribes Population of Manipur.

14 S.C. Jamir, "Speech at the Launch of Nagaland Indigenous People’s Forum," Dimapur, October 27, 2019.

15 Ibid.

16 United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Art. 26, 2007.

17 T.A. Sharp, Standing Order of the President of the Manipur State Darbar, July 23, 1941.

18 UNDRIP, Art. 34, 2007.

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Bibliography

Census of India 2001. Scheduled Tribes Population of Manipur. New Delhi: Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India.

Government of India. The Constitution of India. Articles 342 and 366(25).

Jamir, Senayangba Chubatoshi. "Indigenous Identity in Nagaland." Keynote address at the Nagaland Indigenous People's Forum, Dimapur, October 27, 2019.

Laiba, M. T. Geography of Manipur. Imphal: Angomcha Longjam Langmeiba Thangmeiband, 1996.

Manipur State Darbar. Standing Orders of the President (PMSD). Orders No. 2 of 1933 and 1941.

Singh, O. Kumar. Prehistoric Archaeology of Manipur. Imphal: State Museum Publications, 1983.

United Nations General Assembly. United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Resolution 61/295. New York: UN, 2007.

United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. Report of the Fifteenth Session. New York: UN, 2016.

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Online Source Links

• UNPFII Report: https://www.un.org/development/desa/indigenouspeoples/unpfii-sessions-2/sixteenth-session.html

• UNDRIP Declaration: https://www.un.org/development/desa/indigenouspeoples/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2018/11/UNDRIP_E_web.pdf

• Supreme Court Judgment (Kailas v. State of Maharashtra): https://main.sci.gov.in/jonew/judis/37330.pdf

• Census of India (ST Manipur): https://censusindia.gov.in/census.website/data/census-tables

• Constitution of India (Article 342/366): https://www.constitutionofindia.net/articles/article-342-scheduled-tribes/