Dreams shattered, IDPs hope better future for children
Source: Chronicle News Service / Sagolsem Bigyan

Imphal, July 02 2025: More than two years have passed since ethnic violence erupted in Manipur on May 3, 2023, displacing thousands from their homes.

Yet, the hopes of the internally displaced persons (IDPs), still surviving in overcrowded relief camps, remain unchanged - to return to their homes and build a better future for their children, many of whose dreams have already been shattered.

In an exclusive interview with The People's Chronicle, Ningthoujam Samananda, convenor of the Family Committee at Thongju Kendra Relief Camp, Akampat, revealed the pressing challenges faced by the displaced families.

The camp currently shelters 380 individuals from 113 families, including 10 IDPs from Churachandpur.

Samananda himself, a resident of Moreh Ward No 7, has been living in the camp since May 8, 2023.The camp residents include 35 children aged 0 to 6 years, and 95 between 7 to 18 years.

Among the adult population, there are 89 males and 121 females between the ages of 19 and 60.For those above 60 years, there are 21 male and 19 female IDPs.

Additionally, the camp houses 19 pregnant women and eight differently-abled individuals.

The demographics of the camp highlight the vulnerability of its residents.

The state government provides Rs 80 and 400 grams of rice per person per day, a gesture that was initially welcomed.

However, Samananda expressed deep dissatisfaction with the lack of any longterm policy or rehabilitation strategy.

"It has been more than two years now, and we are still surviving on a stop-gap arrangement.

Our repeated appeals to the authorities concerned have gone unheard," he rued.

The living conditions in the camp are far from humane.

While some are fortunate to have beds, many continue to sleep on the floor.

During the rainy season, water seeps into the camp, worsening the already fragile environment.

Sanitation is severely inadequate, with few functional toilets and no decent bathing facilities.

There are no separate toilets for men and women.

Makeshift plastic enclosures serve as bathrooms.

For around two years, the camp residents had to pool Rs 50 per family each month to purchase drinking water.

Only recently has the district administration managed to install a tap water supply.

Samananda also raised concerns about the limited financial support provided by the government.

He alleged that the special financial assistance meant for the IDPs has not been distributed fairly, and that many elderly residents have not received their entitled old-age pensions.

Health services remain minimal, with a government doctor visiting only twice a week.

For any serious medical issues, residents must seek treatment on their own, often with no financial support.

"Eighty rupees a day is simply not enough to survive, let alone to manage healthcare," he pointed out.

To sustain themselves, many residents have taken up small-scale activities such as candle-making or daily wage work, including doing odd jobs in nearby homes.

Male members of the camp take on any available work to support their families.

"We are living with uncertainty every single day.

We don't know how long this will go on," Samananda lamented.

One of the most pressing concerns among IDPs is the education of their children.

Although the government has technically granted free access to government schools for IDP students, the reality is far from satisfactory.

Many schools either lack teachers or suffer from irregular attendance.

"It feels like the government is using our children just to keep the schools running on paper.

This is not education; it's tokenism," he said.

Still, despite the hardships, he said their biggest hope remains in seeing their children grow up with dignity, quality education and the strength to lead successful lives.

Conditions are equally grim at the relief camp set up at the Manipur Trade and Expo Centre, Lamboi Khongnangkhong.

The camp houses 745 IDPs who have been taking shelter there since June 19, 2023.These individuals hail from different conflict-affected regions including Kangpokpi, Kalapahar, Motbung, Charhajare, Churachandpur, Serou, Moreh and Kwatha Khunou.

The camp is divided into five blocks, yet most of the toilets and bathrooms are no longer functional.

The facilities are grossly disproportionate to the population.

Rainwater seeps through damaged ceilings, drenching bedding, making even shelter unsafe.

"The infrastructure is falling apart.

The government must step in and fix these basic problems," said a camp resident.

For the thousands who have lost their homes and livelihoods in the violence, the lack of meaningful rehabilitation measures and basic dignity in shelter reflects a glaring gap between policy announcements and ground realities.

As the crisis continues with little resolution in sight, these IDPs survive day to day, fuelled only by hope - that peace will return, homes will be rebuilt and their children will not be forgotten in the pages of policy.

Comment