Manipur IDPs Demand Urgent Resettlement Measures
Agitation Planned by COCOMI and IDPs
Imphal, January 8: The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), in collaboration with valley-based Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), is set to initiate a protest on January 12, advocating for timely and effective resettlement measures.
On Wednesday, COCOMI convenor Khuraijam Athouba revealed that a delegation of IDPs had a meeting with the Chief Secretary the previous day to discuss issues related to rehabilitation and resettlement.
“Our representatives engaged with the Chief Secretary, and we are optimistic that the government will provide the necessary information before the January 12 deadline, as per our requests,” Athouba mentioned during the launch of COCOMI’s official website.
However, he noted that no definitive commitments were made public following the discussions.
As part of their protest, COCOMI plans to march towards Lok Bhavan to highlight the ongoing plight of families who have been residing in relief camps since the violence erupted in Manipur.
The organization has been persistently urging immediate actions to guarantee the safe, dignified, and permanent resettlement of those impacted by the ongoing turmoil.
Previously, on December 8, a COCOMI team led by Athouba visited Leimaram Waroiching Leikai, the area where displaced families are anticipated to return. Local leaders from Waroiching village were also present during this visit.
Athouba expressed grave concerns regarding the state of abandoned homes, many of which are makeshift structures that have been neglected for over two and a half years.
The team conducted thorough inspections of the houses to evaluate structural damage and assess the government's readiness for resettlement.
COCOMI's Publicity In-Charge, L Jayanta, stated that the organization has submitted multiple recommendations to the government, especially concerning homes classified as uninhabitable.
In response, the state government has indicated that the resettlement process is being approached with caution to ensure the safety, dignity, and long-term stability of returning IDPs.
On December 31, the Manipur government reported that over 10,000 IDPs from more than 2,200 households have been resettled throughout the state.
The government emphasized that the resettlement initiative is being conducted with careful consideration, supported by a Rs 523-crore Resettlement and Rehabilitation Package outlined in the Manipur Budget for 2025–26.
To date, the state government has allocated Rs 35.46 crore for the construction of new homes and Rs 9.26 crore for the repair of partially damaged residences.
Currently, around 4,000 houses are at various stages of construction as part of the resettlement efforts.