Governor urged to withdraw eviction notices to Meetei IDPs
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 01 2025: Delhi Meetei Coordinating Committee (DMCC) has submitted a memorandum to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla urging to halt the 'forced' eviction notices served to Meetei internally displaced persons (IDPs) currently residing at Langol Game Village.

"DMCC is deeply distressed to learn that eviction notices have been issued to Meetei IDPs who have been sheltering in Langol Game Village since their displacement following the outbreak of ethnic violence in Manipur on May 3, 2023 .

These IDPs were among the first to be attacked by armed Kuki militants.

During the initial outbreak of violence, state police and central security forces failed to act, standing by as silent spectators.

Entire villages were destroyed, and homes were burned or bulldozed, leaving Meetei civilians without shelter or protection," the memorandum said.

As per a release by DMCC convener Dr Seram Rojesh, the memorandum pointed out that the proposed eviction without any alternative arrangement is not only an act of grave insensitivity but also reflects a pattern of selective targeting of the Meetei IDPs, further victimising a community already suffering from severe trauma and displacement.

DMCC also posed whether similar eviction notices been served to Kuki IDPs living in government-provided relief camps; why are operations and law enforcement measures disproportionately targeting central valley - Meetei dominated areas while Kuki-dominated regions remain relatively unaffected; how many Kuki militants, responsible for attacks on Meeteis, have been arrested or disarmed; and why are armed Kuki militants reportedly being protected under the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement, while Meetei groups are singled out.

Over the past three months, under the President's Rule, there has been a disturbing trend of one-sided security operations.

Hundreds of Meetei youths have been arrested in the central valley, creating fear and resentment .

Despite the scale of violence, security operations in Kuki-dominated districts have been conducted merely for namesake, without any serious effort to disarm or arrest those responsible for the attacks, contended the memorandum, adding that such selective enforcement of the law further reinforces the perception of bias and unequal treatment, deepening the divide and mistrust between communities.

DMCC also emphasised its firm believe that peace in Manipur can only be restored through impartial enforcement of law, including the disarmament of all armed groups - both Meetei and Kuki-and equal treatment of all displaced populations.

"We strongly urge Your Excellency to immediately halt the forced eviction of Meetei IDPs, especially those from Churachandpur and Moreh, from Langol Game Village and other such shelters.

Ensure equal protection and treatment of all IDPs, regardless of community.

Apply security operations uniformly across all regions of Manipur, including Kuki-dominated districts.

Reinforce the rule of law without discrimination, in a manner that fosters healing and justice," read the memorandum.

DMCC also appealed to the Governor to take immediate and firm steps to eradicate all illegal poppy plantations in the hill districts, stating that it is equally vital to protect all catchment hill areas and the origins of rivers, as these are essential for maintaining ecological balance, ensuring water security, and safeguarding the livelihoods of communities - particularly in the valley and across the state in general.

With reference to the Governor aerially monitoring the flood situation in Imphal on May 31, the Committee opined that Ajay Bhalla must be fully aware that environmental degradation is the primary cause for occurrence of unnatural flooding in Manipur.

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