In a stark demonstration of dissatisfaction with state rehabilitation efforts, internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Ekou village marched to government offices on Monday to return ₹24 lakh in financial assistance. The residents, who have been living in relief camps since the outbreak of ethnic violence in Manipur, characterized the government’s housing aid as a “trivial” sum that fails to address the reality of their losses.
Ekou, a village situated along the volatile foothills bordering the Kangpokpi district, was one of the earliest and hardest-hit areas during the conflict. The predominantly Meitei population was forced to flee following targeted attacks, leaving behind destroyed homes and livelihoods. For nearly three years, these families have languished in relief camps at Sajiwa and Sawombung. The families recently received an initial Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) installment of ₹48,000 each. However, the displaced residents of Ekou rejected the funds immediately. Marching to the office of the Sawombung Junior Block Development Officer (BDO), they handed over the accumulated cash, totaling ₹24 lakh, as a formal act of protest. Spokesperson for the displaced residents, Longjam Basanta, stated that the community had previously petitioned the Imphal East district administration to halt these transfers. According to Basanta, the ₹3 lakh total is grossly insufficient to rebuild a home from the ground up in the current economic climate.
“The government is attempting to hoodwink us with an amount that cannot even cover the foundation of a modern house,” Basanta remarked during the protest. The IDPs have called for a more realistic assessment of damages and a compensation package that reflects the actual cost of reconstruction and the psychological toll of their displacement. The protest highlights a significant gap in the state’s recovery narrative. While government data suggests that as of January 2026, more than 3,700 families (approximately 16,500 individuals) have been resettled across Manipur, the residents of Ekou remain stuck in a deadlock. For them, returning home is not just a matter of logistics but of dignity and adequate support.
Authorities have yet to issue a formal response regarding whether the rehabilitation package will be reviewed for the Ekou cluster following this high-profile rejection of aid.
