Rs 75 thousand for resettlement initiative a joke: Cong
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 11 2025: Ningthoujam Popilal, former president of the Manipur Pradesh Youth Congress Committee (MPYCC), has criticized the Government's resettlement initiative for internally displaced people (IDPs), calling the announced financial aid of Rs 75,000 per family a mockery.

Today, Popilal, along with IDPs from Kangchup Kharang Village who had fled their homes following an onslaught by Kuki militants and their armed associates visited their village after over two years and inspected the remains of their houses, which are now guarded by security forces.

Speaking to the media, Popilal stated that the Government's announcement of a mere Rs 75,000 per family for the resettlement of IDPs is unacceptable and woefully inadequate to meet their needs.

Kangchup Kharang is a Meetei village adjacent to Phayeng.

He said the crisis in Manipur resulted from the Government's flawed policies.

Saying that the Government has been working to resettle the IDPs whose houses were not torched by providing security by July 15, Popilal asked if the initiative is being taken up so that the Government can claim in the Parliament session scheduled to start on July 21 that resettlement for IDPs has begun, or to genuinely address the grievances of IDPs.

While the IDPs also want to return to their original places and the Government's resettlement initiative is commendable, the announced aid of Rs 75,000 (per family) to repair houses damaged by bullets, bombs, and neglect for over two years is insufficient, he said Describing the Government's announced financial aid as unrealistic, he called on the Government to reevaluate and revise the aid package.

Further stating that many families in Manipur live together in one house with separate rooms, he said that many families will have to share the mere Rs 75,000 since they live in one house, according to the Government's resettlement plan.

Popilal recalled that the Commissioner (Home), had on November 9, 2023 announced a compensation package of Rs 10 lakh for fully burnt pucca houses, Rs 7 lakh for semi-pucca houses, and Rs 5 lakh for kutcha houses.

However, a new Government notification issued on June 5, 2025, drastically reduced the aid, now offering Rs 3 lakh for rebuilding and Rs 75,000 per family for resettlement, he said and asked how a house can be constructed with just Rs 3 lakh.

Stating that former Chief Minister N Biren Singh had announced Rs 1 lakh each for around 60,000 displaced families, he added that only two IDP families from Phayeng and Kangchup Kharang side received Rs 25,000 each.

Popilal urged the Government to treat all IDPs equally.

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