No buffer zone in Manipur, Governor Ajay Kumar tells displaced persons amid Imphal protest

Amid mounting discontent among internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Manipur, Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla on Monday, January 12 stated that no ‘buffer zone’ exists within the state, while dismissing such claims as false and misleading.

The assurance came during a high-level meeting with representatives of the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) and IDPs, held after a massive protest in Imphal against the government’s alleged inaction on resettlement demands.

Hundreds of IDPs, under the banner of COCOMI, staged a protest in the state capital on January 12, condemning what they described as prolonged governmental apathy towards their demands for rehabilitation and resettlement. The demonstrators attempted to march towards Lok Bhavan, the Governor’s residence, to submit a memorandum highlighting their grievances.

The protest followed the culmination of a month-long agitation in December, during which displaced families repeatedly sought a firm assurance from the authorities regarding their resettlement within the stipulated timeline.

The procession began from Takhellambam Leikai and moved towards Lok Bhavan but was stopped by security forces at Keishampat Junction, preventing the protesters from proceeding further. A heavy security deployment was witnessed across Imphal, with personnel from the Rapid Action Force (RAF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and Manipur Police stationed at key locations. Roads leading to Lok Bhavan were barricaded to avert any potential law-and-order situation.

Following the standoff, a small delegation comprising COCOMI representatives and IDPs was allowed to meet Governor Bhalla, accompanied by the Chief Secretary. The meeting lasted for over an hour, while the remaining protesters continued to sit in protest at Keishampat Junction, occupying the road.

Briefing the media after the meeting, COCOMI convenor Khuraijam Athouba said the delegation had raised serious concerns over the government’s failure to maintain trust with the people, pointing out the absence of any response to the memoranda submitted daily throughout December.

Athouba said the delegation also flagged the confusion and anxiety caused by repeated references to a “buffer zone” within the same administrative framework. “The Governor has clearly stated that there is no such thing as a buffer zone within the state administration and that such claims are completely false,” he said.

According to Athouba, the Governor assured the delegation that a formal written response to their memorandum would be issued by Tuesday, January 13. He further stated that the Governor agreed to provide a written clarification rejecting the buffer zone narrative, in line with the protesters’ demand, to prevent panic and misinformation among the public.

It may be recalled that IDPs under the COCOMI banner carried out a month-long protest in December, submitting memoranda every day to the Governor and other authorities, seeking a clear commitment on resettlement. The absence of any official response eventually led the protesters to resolve to march towards Lok Bhavan on January 12.