Thousands of displaced families protest in Manipur's Churachandpur, demand justice and equal relief

Thousands of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), both camped and non-camped, converged at the Tuibong Peace Ground in Manipur's Churachandpur district on November 11 under the banner of the Joint Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Churachandpur to voice their collective anger and frustration over what they termed as blatant disparity, injustice, irregularities, and administrative negligence in the government’s handling of relief and compensation for displaced families.

 

The massive gathering, described by observers as one of the strongest public assertions of the IDPs’ plight so far, was addressed by the Joint IDPs Churachandpur Committee convenor Dr R. Sanga, along with Dr Vumkhoneh and Dr John Pulamte. Following the meeting, the displaced families organised a peaceful rally through Churachandpur town and later submitted a comprehensive memorandum to the Governor of Manipur through the district administration.

 

Placards carried by the protestors bore bold and emotional messages such as “We Reject Differentiation of IDPs – Camped and Non-Camped,” “CCpur’s Shame: 9000 IDPs Zero Support,” “Implementation of a Relief Protocol in Toto,” “CCpur’s IDPs Punished by DC and Biren,” and “Compensation Based on Value, Not Fixed — No Closure Without Settlement.”

 

The memorandum submitted by the protestors detailed their growing disillusionment and outlined key demands aimed at ensuring justice, equality, and dignity for all displaced families in Manipur’s conflict-torn districts. It called for an inclusive policy implementation that would treat all displaced persons—whether living in relief camps or outside—under a unified relief and rehabilitation protocol across both hill and valley districts. The protestors alleged that discriminatory administrative practices had left non-camped IDPs particularly neglected.

 

They also demanded the immediate release of all pending financial assistance, including ex-gratia, maternity, medical, educational, and livelihood support, urging the government to ensure transparency and accountability in all Direct Benefit Transfer payments. Another major demand was the approval and implementation of durable housing schemes worth ₹15–20 lakh per family, enabling those with land to rebuild their homes and restore stable livelihoods. The displaced families emphasised that livelihood programs should be integrated to ensure long-term stability and self-reliance.

 

The memorandum further pressed for a fair and transparent compensation and property protection mechanism, calling for a fresh valuation and compensation process for all destroyed or occupied properties. It also urged the government to ensure protection against unlawful encroachment and demolition, and to restore ownership in accordance with constitutional guarantees of equality, dignity, and justice.

 

The IDPs appealed to the state government to adopt a comprehensive rehabilitation model similar to the Ministry of Home Affairs’ Bru (Reang) IDP resettlement plan in Tripura, ensuring parity, justice, and sustainability in the scope of assistance provided. They also expressed concern over frequent transfers of key officers such as the Deputy Commissioner and Sub-Deputy Commissioners, which they said had disrupted relief management. To ensure administrative continuity, the memorandum recommended the establishment of Standard Operating Procedures and the appointment of an Officer on Special Duty dedicated to IDP affairs.

 

Another major appeal was for the creation of a verified and publicly accessible database of all displaced persons, covering both camped and non-camped populations. Such a database, the protestors argued, was necessary to guarantee transparency and accountability in the implementation of relief and rehabilitation measures.

 

The speakers at the gathering emphasised that relief and justice could not be selective and warned that continued neglect by the authorities could fuel deeper resentment and instability in the region. Dr R. Sanga, addressing reporters, said that many families living outside relief camps were receiving far less assistance than those within them. “IDPs have been facing terrible hardship because of the present situation. The governments of India and Manipur are neglecting them,” he alleged.

 

Echoing his concern, Dr Vumkhoneh pointed out that the administration’s treatment of displaced persons varied depending on whether they were living in Churachandpur, Imphal, or Kangpokpi.

 

As the rally concluded peacefully, the IDPs expressed hope that the Governor and the State Government would act decisively to correct what they described as a “systematic denial of equality, relief, and dignity.” “We are not asking for charity; we are demanding our rights,” read one of the placards — a sentiment that resonated powerfully across the Tuibong Peace Ground.

 

At least 260 people have been killed and thousands displaced in the ethnic clashes between Meitei groups from the Imphal valley and Kuki-Zo communities from the surrounding hills. Manipur has been under President’s Rule since February 13, following the resignation of then Chief Minister N. Biren Singh on February 9.