Moreh IDPs rue Govt apathy, seek equal treatment
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 15 2025: The Committee on Protection of Meetei Victims (COPMeV), Moreh has alleged continuous government indifference to hardship faced by the Meetei community displaced from Moreh town, who have been taking shelter in various locations in the valley districts since the May 3, 2023 attack by Kuki "narco-terrorists" .

In a press release, COPMeV stated that many Meetei families displaced from Moreh and putting up at homes of relatives and friends are not receiving any substantial support from the state government.

The committee said that the internally displaced persons (IDPs) are struggling due to lack of adequate relief materials and food supplies, particularly in the absence of stable livelihood opportunities.

The government had earlier extended limited support to these IDPs.

In November and December 2024, IDPs staying outside the designated relief camps in Imphal West were provided 10 kg of rice and 2 kg dal per head every month.

For the current year, similar rations, with the addition of half a litre of mustard oil per head, were distributed only in January and April.

Since then, no further assistance has been provided, COPMeV said.

The committee emphasised that these IDPs, though staying outside relief camps, suffered the same losses of property and livelihoods as those in the camps.

It criticised the state government for what it called discriminatory treatment among IDPs and urged for a fair and balanced approach in the distribution of relief.

COPMeV stated that while the government and various NGOs did extend assistance periodically in the early phase of the crisis, such support has now dwindled.

The displaced people are now facing increased challenges due to the lack of leaning support for children, inadequate health and hygiene facilities, and continued food insecurity.

The committee pointed out that many IDPs chose not to stay in relief camps due to health-related or personal reasons, but that should not be the ground for unequal treatment.

COPMeV welcomed the recent order issued by the commissioner (Home) directing IDPs to register on the IDP Management Portal.

However, it expressed strong concern over a major problem faced by Meetei IDPs during registration, primarily due to arbitrary renaming of Meetei localities in Moreh on Google Maps.

According to the committee, Meetei localities such as Heinoumakhong Leikai, Khunou Leikai, Premnagar Mongyamba Leikai, Turel Wangma Leikai, and Moreh Bazar Khongnangthaba Leikai have been renamed with Kuki names by Kuki groups, making it impossible for Meetei IDPs to register their original home addresses in the portal since there is no option to choose their original localities.

COPMeV further said that despite submitting several memorandums to authorities concerned, no corrective steps have been taken.

In protest against the unauthorised name changes, the IDPs had earlier burned their ration cards which carried the altered addresses, COPMeV said.

The committee demanded that the government resolve the issue by restoring the original names of Meetei localities on the portal and ensure provision of adequate relief materials.

It further urged the government to create conditions for IDPs to return home and rebuild their lives.

COPMeV also appealed to the authorities to halt the ongoing online registration of IDPs until discrepancies in the locality name are corrected, warning that it would otherwise launch various forms of protest if the government continues to ignore their plight.

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