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On the ground, Manipur remains sharply divided: the Meiteis inhabit the Imphal Valley, while the Kukis live in the surrounding hill districts; and security forces continue to patrol the buffer zones that separate the two communities. A security official deployed in the area told BBC Hindi that his mandate was to "ensure that Meiteis and Kukis remain in their respective areas and do not mix". Experts say resettling people in their original neighbourhoods is crucial to prevent the violence from redrawing Manipur's social map. "This is not good for a secular, democratic India. Resettling them in their original homes is most critical," said RK Nimai Singh, former secretary to the Manipur governor. He added that many displaced people feared that if they left the relief camps and moved into temporary housing, they might never be able to return to their homes. It's a thought that haunts Hatnu Haokip. For her, home means only one place - Imphal valley - and she yearns to go back. "But that can't happen because our village is now surrounded by Meitei people," said the 22-year-old who is now living in a relief camp in the hilly Churachandpur region Ms Haokip added that she would feel safer if Kuki leaders were given autonomy to set up a separate federally-administered territory for the community. This sentiment was echoed by several other Kukis, who also feel apprehensive of returning to their homes. On the other hand, most Meiteis BBC Hindi spoke to said they wanted to go back home. Irom Abung, who once ran a water supply business in Churachandpur, now lives in a relief camp near a buffer zone. His house was damaged during the violence, but Mr Abung says he will never give up on the place he once called home. "My land remains. I will never sell it because I know I will return one day," he said. "Efforts must be made to bridge the gap between our two communities so people can go back to their lives." The unease, coupled with uncertainty over where the new homes will be built, has raised doubts over whether the government would be able to close all relief camps by December. Government officials, however, insist that the resettlement plan is on track. "From about 290 camps initially, we've brought the number down to around 260," a senior Manipur government official said. "Eventually, we want to resettle people in the areas from where they fled, once they feel safe to return." The official added that while they understood people's concerns, it was also in the state's interest for them to return home - otherwise, the divisions would only grow deeper.
