Centre urged to aid IDPs, prevent illegal infiltration
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 12 2025: Rajya Sabha MP Sanajaoba Leisemba has called on the Union government to provide a special rehabilitation package and take urgent measures to facilitate the return of thousands displaced by the ongoing unrest in Manipur.

Speaking in Parliament during the discussion on the Manipur Budget for 2025-26 on Monday, he informed that around 55,658 people from over 10,000 families remain in 262 relief camps, unable to return home for over two years.

Sanajaoba stressed that the lives of these displaced people must be rebuilt from scratch and urged both the Centre and the state to ensure their resettlement.

He observed that while the law and order situation has improved to some extent under joint efforts of the two governments, more decisive action is needed to restore normalcy.

Reflecting on the extension of President's Rule in the state with effect from August 13, the MP pointed out that the Chin-Kuki community in hill areas has, for over two years, strictly restricted the movement of Meetei people on NH-2 (Imphal-Dimapur) and NH-37 (Imphal-Jiribam).

He demanded that the Meetei community be allowed to travel freely on these national highways at the earliest.

Referring to the Ministry of Home Affairs' May 19 notification directing the identification and repatriation of illegal immigrants from Myanmar and Bangladesh, he said that the current administration under President's Rule should take concrete steps in this regard, but the state government has yet to act.

He stressed that these measures should be completed before the National Census and Delimitation exercises, and should follow the 1961 baseline.

To curb cross-border movement, the MP urged that the 398-kilometre IndoMyanmar border in Manipur be manned by professional central forces such as BSF.

He also batted for reinstatement of a popular government in the state as per the people's pulse.

On the budget, Sanajaoba said that the Centre has al located Rs 30,969.44 crore against a total budget size of Rs 35,103.99 crore.

The allo cations include Rs 1,065 crore for relief and rehabilitation, Rs 5,241 crore for strengthening security and infrastructure, and Rs 11,520 crore for social and development sector.

He welcomed the Rs 2,898 crore special package and expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister, Home minister and Finance minister, urging continued support to help Manipur's economy recover from the unrest, assist the displaced population and restore public confidence.

Comment