Manipur Cabinet Approves Rs 10 Lakh Aid for Families of 49 Missing Persons

The Manipur Cabinet has approved a one-time special humanitarian assistance of ₹10 lakh each for the families of 49 people who have remained missing since the outbreak of violence in the state in May 2023.

The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on October 1, 2026. Government spokespersons said the 49 people remain untraced despite sustained search efforts.

₹4.90 Crore Assistance for 49 Families

Under the Cabinet decision, the next of kin of each of the 49 missing persons will receive ₹10 lakh. The total financial requirement for the assistance is ₹4.90 crore, which will be met from state government funds.

The government said the measure has been approved considering the prolonged hardship faced by families of people who remain missing. Families of victims who died during the violence had previously received financial assistance, while families of missing persons face difficulties because their relatives have not been legally declared dead.

Missing Persons Remain Untraced

The 49 cases relate to people reported missing in connection with the violence that began on May 3, 2023. During the Manipur Assembly session, the government had reported that 49 people remained missing as of August 31, 2026. It also stated that 34 people who had earlier been reported missing were subsequently found dead.

The prolonged uncertainty has left families waiting for information about the whereabouts of their relatives while search and investigation efforts continue.

Why Special Assistance Was Approved

Government representatives explained that existing legal procedures create difficulties for families of missing persons. Under the law, a missing person is generally presumed dead only after seven years. In addition, families may not possess documents such as death certificates or post-mortem reports required under certain compensation mechanisms.

The Cabinet therefore approved the ₹10 lakh payment as a special humanitarian measure, without requiring the families to wait for the seven-year period.

Other Cabinet Decisions

The Cabinet also approved revised ex-gratia assistance for Army and Central Armed Police Forces personnel killed or injured while operating in Manipur in connection with extremist violence.

Under the revised rates, assistance will be ₹10 lakh in case of death, ₹2 lakh for permanent disability, ₹1 lakh for grievous injury and ₹20,000 for simple injury.

The Cabinet further approved an increase in pensions for retired journalists. The monthly pension will rise from ₹8,000 to ₹10,000, while the family pension for families of deceased journalists will increase from ₹5,000 to ₹7,000.

It also approved the constitution of the Fifth Manipur State Finance Commission for the period 2026–27 to 2030–31.

Continuing Impact of the Manipur Conflict

The Cabinet's decision comes as Manipur continues to deal with the consequences of the ethnic violence that began in 2023. Official figures reported in the Assembly showed 306 deaths and 49 people still missing as of August 31, 2026, while thousands of people have been displaced by the conflict.

The assistance for the 49 families provides financial support while the cases of the missing persons remain unresolved. The payment does not by itself establish the legal status or whereabouts of those who remain missing.