IDPs raise voice on eve of 2nd year mark
Source: The Sangai Express

Bishnupur/Kakching/Thoubal, May 02 2025: Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) across various relief camps staged sit-in protests today under the aegis of Peace Committee Kangleipak, Manipur to mark two years since the beginning of the protracted crisis that has upended their lives.

BISHNUPUR

As the crisis is set to complete two years, sit-in protests were staged by IDPs living at the prefabricated houses in Utlou Sajor Leikai under Nambol AC, Old DC Complex Relief Camp under Bishnupur AC, Mangolnganbi College Relief Camp in Ningthoukhong, Phubala High School Relief Camp under Moirang AC, Sunusiphai Relief Camp, OB High School Relief Camp under Moirang AC, Khoyol Keithel Relief Camp, Thangjing Guest House Relief Camp, Thangjing Sindam Sanglen Relief Camp, Moirang College Block A and B Relief Camp and Sandhong Relief Camp.

Similar demonstrations were carried out at Laisoi Relief Camp, Block A and B of Ithing Resort Relief Camp, Thanga Chingkha Relief Camp, Thanga Moirangthem Relief Camp, Moirangkhunou Mayai Leikai Relief Camp, Maning Leikai Relief Camp and Sabal Lampak Relief Camp under Thangal AC.

At Kumbi Constituency, inmates staged sit-in protests at Kumbi Leirak Achouba Relief Camp, Kumbi Awang High School Relief Camp, Kumbi Central Relief Camp, Kumbi Terakha Upper Primary Relief Camp, Ithai Khunou High School Relief Camp and Wangoo Higher Secondary School and shouted many slogans.

KAKCHING

IDPs at Kakching carried out sit-in protests at Khomdonbi Memorial English School and Wangoo Tera High School.

Speaking in this connection, Rajesh Meitei, president, Peace Committee Kangleipak, asserted that around 60,000 IDPs are languishing in relief camps unable to return home.

Roughly 5000 Meitei houses were burnt to ashes and hundreds lost their lives during the conflict, he said.

Stating that the Indian Government has failed to give an appropriate response to the Manipur crisis, he highlighted the disparity in responses by the Central Government between the recent Pahalgam terrorist attack and the Manipur conflict.

Though President's Rule has been imposed in the State which is nearing the three months mark, there is no free movement along the National Highways and Meiteis are still unable to go on pilgrimage to their sacred places, he maintained.

Expressing discontent with the state of affairs, he urged the Indian Government to take swift action to ensure that the IDPs are sent back to their original homes.

Otherwise Peace Committee Kangleipak might initiate various forms of democratic protests, he added.

Meanwhile, IDPs at the demonstration sites said that their lives in relief camps is comparable to life behind bars.

Saying that they are living like refugees in their own land, they urged the Government to ensure their safe return to their homes.

They also raised questions regarding the reported construction of "3000 houses" for IDPs by the Government and the sum of Rs 4 crores allegedly spent on procuring TVs for relief camp inmates.

At the protests, the inmates wielded placards with messages such as "What is the benefit of PR imposition?", "If you can't send us home immediately, then kill us", "We are not immigrants", "Why are you ignoring us", "Don't make us refugees in our own land" etc.

THOUBAL

In Thoubal district, IDPs staged sit-in protests at the relief camps in Rice Research Station, Khangabok, Lamding Higher Secondary School and Wangjing Kodompokpi.

Womenfolk who took part in the demonstration aired their grievances with the Central Government for disregarding the Manipur conflict while responding swiftly to the terrorist attack in Jammu & Kashmir.

They also raised many slogans while urging the relevant authority to send the IDPs back home.

Comment