FoH memo airs woes of Meetei IDPs, urges SoO scrap
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, July 04 2025: Federation of Haomee (FoH) submitted a memorandum to President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, urging immediate action to address the "restless and pathetic" condition of displaced Meeteis in Manipur since the outbreak of violence on May 3, 2023 .

FoH said that India, as a powerful nation with respected institutions and patriotic citizens, has always stood for cultural and religious diversity.

However, it expressed deep concern that Manipur's current state contradicts these ideals.

Drawing attention to what it called a "horrible fact", the Federation stated that since May 3, 2023, Meetei houses in Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, Moreh and in villages nearby Kuki settlements were burnt down, properties looted, and even paddy fields taken over.

FoH further alleged that Meetei cattle were dragged away with disdain and slaughtered for consumption.

According to the memorandum, over 60,000 Meeteis have been living as internally displaced persons (IDPs) in overcrowded relief camps with minimal government aid.

It said that 50 people often share one hall and are provided only rice and dal as daily meals.

FoH described the condition of the displaced persons as pathetic, stating that they are "just keeping themselves alive without a purposeful living", with some falling into depression, resorting to begging or roadside vending, and even committing suicide due to trauma.

The memorandum also criticised the pre-fabricated houses provided to IDPs, contending that people are forced to "live in a box-like enclosure" and thrown away "like an animal without homely living".

Decrying the government's inaction, it regretted that cries of the displaced Meeteis continue to be ignored.

FoH further accused the authorities of facilitating unchecked illegal migration from neighbouring countries, allowing them free settlement and the establishment of new villages in Manipur with-� out proper security verification.

"These migrants acquired manipulated government documents such as fake Aadhaar cards and were enrolled as bonafide voters, contributing to abnormal population growth that surpassed that of indigenous communities," the Federation pointed out, cautioning that many of the migrants are armed and pose a threat to native villagers.

A key demand in the memorandum was the complete abrogation of the Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement signed with 25 Kuki militant groups on August 22, 2008 .

FoH described the agreement as a "very unfortunate step", claiming that it gave the militants a free hand to engage in extortion on the highways, kidnappings, looting, poppy cultivation and drug trafficking.

Holding SoO responsible for the worsening lawlessness in the state, the Federation called for the Union government to withdraw from it without further extension.

Given the scale of displacement and the slow pace of recovery, the Federation estimated that restoration of Meetei homes may take 10 to 20 years.

It urged the Centre to unconditionally provide one regular government job and a government quarter to each displaced Meetei family to ensure long-term rehabilitation and livelihood.

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