The Manipur Unit of the India Bloc has urged the enactment of a comprehensive law to address the relief, rehabilitation, and resettlement of internally displaced persons (IDPs) affected by the ongoing crisis in the state. Speaking at a press conference today, Kh Devabrata, the Working President of the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee, highlighted the severity of the 15-month-long crisis, comparing it to previous communal conflicts such as the Gujarat riots, Delhi riots, and the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. “The current situation in Manipur stands out as one of the most devastating and prolonged communal crises in India’s history,” Devabrata said.
He expressed concern over the plight of the displaced, noting that many IDPs remain unable to return to their hometowns and are forced to live as refugees in their own state. Reports have surfaced of IDP properties being sold or bulldozed, which Devabrata condemned, calling for immediate government intervention to protect these properties. Devabrata emphasized the urgent need for specific legislation to ensure that IDPs receive adequate compensation and are not denied their rights. “A law dedicated to the relief, rehabilitation, and resettlement of IDPs is essential to ensure justice for all those affected,” he stated.
The Supreme Court’s Justice Gita Mittal Committee, tasked with overseeing the relief and rehabilitation efforts for victims of ethnic violence in Manipur, has been extended for another six months. However, Devabrata warned against applying the same relief policies used in the Gujarat and Delhi riots, arguing that the unique nature of the Manipur crisis requires tailored solutions. He urged the state government to either draft specific legislation or at least form a special committee within the Manipur Legislative Assembly to address the issues faced by the displaced population.
