MCM airs hardships of IDPs, 30 deaths in relief camps
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 06 2025: Meetei Council Moreh (MCM) has expressed strong resentment against alleged government inaction and neglect in addressing the plight of internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Moreh and Churachandpur, who fled their homes following the outbreak of the crisis on May 3, 2023 .

The Council said that the displaced persons have now spent two years in severe hardship, with at least 30 individuals from Moreh alone having died in relief camps due to untreated illnesses, mental trauma, and lack of support.

In a statement issued Thursday, the Council said that the displaced Meetei residents were forced to flee their homes with nothing but the clothes on their back as mobs set their properties ablaze and looted everything.

Some managed to take shelter in police stations, security posts, and even across the border in Myanmar, while others reached Imphal and were placed in relief camps.

Those who arrived later could not find space in camps and housed in unoccupied government quarters, though no formal notifications were issued in this regard.

However, the situation has only worsened over time.

For the last two years, IDPs have been living in deplorable conditions without any opportunity to earn a dignified livelihood.

The promised government assistance of Rs 1 lakh per family to be released in instalments began with Rs 25,000 payout.

But many displaced families left out of from initial distribution are yet to receive anything till date.

While the government is also providing monthly aid, the support is not only inconsistent but the amount has been reduced significantly.

Complaints about the irregularity or inadequacy of aid have been met with mockery, with the IDPs taunted that they should be grateful to receive anything at all, it stated.

The inability to access proper healthcare remains a critical concern.

The government has not introduced any policy to provide free treatment to the IDPs, resulting in the deaths of many who could not afford medical care.

Several displaced persons have died of preventable illnesses, and many others battling chronic diseases without access to proper care.

Overcrowded living conditions, lack of privacy, and negligible mental health support also led to severe depression and trauma, especially among students and youth, elaborated the Council, noting with grave concern such distressful condition pushed many young IDPs to take the extreme step.

According to the Council, as many as 30 IDPs from Moreh alone have died while staying in relief camps over the last two years.

The statement also included names of the 30 victims underscoring the growing toll of the prolonged crisis and the government's failure to restore peace or ensure the safety and rehabilitation of displaced persons.

The Council also expressed outrage over the recent government order asking IDPs staying in vacant government quarters to vacate.

It called the directive an act of harassment and a direct affront to those who have been left with no other shelter due to the government's inability to end the crisis.

The displaced persons do not want to remain in temporary quarters but have no alternative until their safe return can be guaranteed.

The Council insisted that it is the duty of the state to provide accommodation, education, and healthcare to the IDPs until they can safely go back to their homes and rebuild their lives.

It further pointed out that the crisis has not only devastated displaced families but also severely affected the livelihoods of many families who were not directly displaced.

It is impossible for the non-displaced families to keep supporting the IDPs forever, it maintained.

Demanding immediate action, the Council urged the government to resolve the crisis with the same urgency and firmness as it showed in Operation Sindoor and to facilitate the safe return of all displaced persons.

It said that doing so would relieve the state from the prolonged burden of supporting IDPs and would help restore dignity and normalcy in the lives of those affected.

The Meetei Council Moreh has called for immediate and regular provision of food, full sponsorship of displaced students' education, free healthcare, regular financial assistance to all IDPs, and 100 per cent coverage of the assured Rs 1 lakh aid.

It stressed that displaced persons cannot continue to live in neglect and despair and called upon the government to act decisively to uphold its responsibility.

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