On Friday, representatives of internally-displaced persons (IDPs) called on the Manipur government to expedite the resettlement process for all IDPs, ensuring enhanced security in vulnerable villages and providing a timeline-based progress report. They stressed the urgency of this matter, noting that the state government has only 27 days left to honor commitments made for complete resettlement by December 2025. A memorandum was submitted to the Manipur Governor and Chief Secretary, reminding them of their prior assurances made in meetings with IDP representatives and endorsed by the civil society group, COCOMI. Currently, IDPs, in collaboration with community representatives, are engaged in a relay sit-in strike at Uripok, Imphal, demanding the restoration of their fundamental rights alongside resettlement.
The memorandum highlighted recent progress in resettlement efforts in areas such as Sadu Koireng and Waroiching within the Bishnupur district, which the representatives acknowledged as a positive initial step. However, they pointed out that thousands of families remain displaced, continuing their protests to affirm their commitment to a democratic agitation until a comprehensive and credible resettlement is achieved. As the December deadline approaches, the representatives expressed heightened expectations from affected families, emphasizing the necessity for substantive progress rather than just administrative announcements to restore faith in the process. They affirmed their readiness to collaborate with the government in this important initiative that aims to enable displaced persons to return home safely, with dignity and restored basic infrastructure.
