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.
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.
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
"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 "49 people missing since Manipur conflict remain untraced," Deccan Herald.
"49 people missing since Manipur conflict remain untraced," Deccan Herald.
"49 people missing since Manipur conflict remain untraced," Deccan Herald.
"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.
"Kin of Manipur’s 49 people missing since 2023 ethnic conflict to get ₹10 lakh each." The Hindu. October 2, 2026.
"Manipur Cabinet approves Rs 10 lakh aid for kin of 49 missing since 2023 violence." India Today. October 1, 2026.