Residents rebuild 40 homes after fleeing May 2023 violence; MLA Paolenlal Haokip leads inauguration as families resume livelihoods in buffer zone village
Edited by: Elvish Haokip
Kukiland Express Desk
Songpi, May 29, 2026
Khodang has become the first Kuki village in Manipur to be formally resettled after residents were displaced during the ethnic violence of May 2023.
The resettlement programme was inaugurated on May 28 by MLA Paolenlal Haokip at the village, which sits in the buffer zone bordering Churachandpur, Kakching, and Bishnupur districts.
The ceremony began with the unveiling of a commemorative stone and a dedication prayer led by Pastor Zalal of the GTPA.
Khodang had been abandoned since May 28, 2023, when residents fled following an alleged attack during the violence. Villagers said most of the 40-plus homes were destroyed, with only a few structures left standing.
Village chief Jamminlien Haokip welcomed the return and thanked the MLA, district administration, civil society groups, and village authorities for enabling the resettlement. He said families can now resume normal livelihood activities after nearly three years of displacement.
So far, around 40 houses have been rebuilt in Khodang. Another 10 are slated for construction under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.
The event was attended by leaders of Kuki civil bodies, student organisations, women’s groups, chiefs’ associations, and security personnel.
