IDPs barred from returning home
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, July 16 2025: Security forces on Wednesday prevented internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Dolaithabi and nearby villages, currently residing in relief camps, from returning to their homes.

The IDPs, displaced by the ethnic conflict, attempted to return but were stopped at Pukhao Terapur by security personnel.

A large group of IDPs from Dolaithabi, Yengkhuman, Ekou, Thangal Surung and Leitanpokpi, spread across various relief camps, made their way towards their native villages with the intention of returning home.

However, they were intercepted at Pukhao Terapur by security forces citing safety concerns.

IDPs barred from returning home

To prevent any untoward incident, senior police officers and district administration officials rushed to the scene to assess the situation.

As the group included women, a unit of CRPF women personnel was also deployed to manage the crowd and ensure that the IDPs did not proceed further.

Despite the blockade, around 20 individuals managed to sneak past the security and reach their homes in Dolaithabi.

They later returned to the camp after briefly visiting their properties.

Some among them also met with the Imphal East DC, who reportedly assured them that all displaced persons would be facilitated to return to their homes within two months.

Following the assurance, the protest was put on hold.

The agitation was triggered after villagers claimed that during a meeting on July 13, the Imphal East DC had expressed pessimism about their return, stating that the DC "saw no hope" for the displaced persons to be resettled in their original homes.

Rajkumar Prem, a resident of Dolaithabi Maning Leikai and one of the IDPs, said the protest was suspended after the DC's assurance.

"But if the assurance is not fulfilled, we will resume our agitation in a more intense manner.

We are prepared to cross the river under cover of night and return to our homes," he warned.

Prem, who was among the group that briefly returned to Dolaithabi, described the condition of their village as heartbreaking.

"Most of our houses have been burned down.

Only two or three houses remain standing.

All our belongings have been destroyed.

Our paddy fields are now being cultivated by Kukis," he said, calling the sight "deeply pitiful and unfortunate" .

The displaced villagers have reiterated their demand for a safe and dignified return to their homes and called on the authorities to act swiftly and fulfil their promise.