Three Years After Manipur Violence: Families Await Answers for Missing Loved Ones

As the third anniversary of the ethnic violence in Manipur approaches, families of missing persons are still grappling with the pain of uncertainty. Official reports indicate significant loss of life and displacement, but for these families, the struggle is deeply personal. They have faced bureaucratic hurdles and a lack of concrete answers from the government. Despite filing FIRs and approaching the High Court, many remain unaccounted for. The emotional toll is immense, as families seek justice and closure while navigating a system that often reduces their grief to paperwork. This ongoing fight for truth and dignity highlights the human cost of the violence that has plagued the region.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 2, 2026, 21:51 IST

The Ongoing Struggle for Justice in Manipur

Imphal, May 2: As the third anniversary of the ethnic violence in Manipur approaches on May 3, the statistics are alarming. Official reports indicate that by March 30, 2026, at least 217 individuals have lost their lives, while 58,821 have been displaced, with numerous homes either destroyed or severely damaged.

However, for many families, this situation transcends mere statistics. It revolves around the absence of their loved ones and the bureaucratic hurdles they face.

In various regions of the valley, families continue to search for relatives who have not returned. They express that the government has reduced their anguish to mere paperwork.

In a recent public statement, families of the missing highlighted that over 30 individuals who vanished during the height of the violence remain unaccounted for. They described their experience as one filled with 'unbearable silence, uncertainty, and endless waiting.'

Throughout the last three years, these families have lodged FIRs, submitted requests, met with officials, and even approached the High Court of Manipur. Unfortunately, they report that progress has largely been limited to paperwork without any real answers.

Last month, the High Court acknowledged a Public Interest Litigation concerning enforced disappearances, which identified at least 32 missing persons.

This petition, initiated by the Families of Involuntarily Disappeared Association, Manipur (FIDAM) in collaboration with the Human Rights Initiative (HRI), has called for either a Central Bureau of Investigation inquiry or a court-monitored Special Investigation Team.

For these families, however, the legal process has only added to their documentation burden. Kabita Devi has been searching for her husband, a Central government employee, who went missing amid the violence.

Kabita Devi speaking to Media House.

“One day, my husband simply vanished. We still have no idea where he is. The government promised jobs and assistance, but we have received nothing,” she lamented.

Instead, she claims to have encountered demands she cannot meet. “They require us to provide a death certificate, but without it, we cannot access the benefits that are rightfully ours. We have been told to wait for seven years, but how can we endure this uncertainty?” she questioned.

According to current regulations, a person can only be legally declared dead after seven years of being missing. Until that time, families cannot obtain a death certificate, which is essential for accessing various government programs and promised relief, including job opportunities.

Ranjita Devi, whose husband is also unaccounted for, stated that the uncertainty has been worsened by administrative delays. “My husband has been missing. We have no idea if he is alive or not. We have sought assistance, but there has been no substantial response,” she expressed.

“It has become extremely challenging to manage the household and care for the children. We just want the government to locate our loved ones and deliver justice,” she added.

While comprehensive official data on missing persons is lacking, families assert that numerous FIRs have been filed over the years. Many of these cases, they claim, have seen minimal progress beyond documentation.

They fear that their loved ones may be lost not only to violence but also to unresolved paperwork. “Help us bring truth, justice, and dignity to the missing and their families. Until they are found, our fight will persist,” the statement concluded.

As Manipur commemorates three years of turmoil tomorrow, the official statistics reflect deaths and displacements. For these families, however, the narrative remains incomplete.