In a significant demonstration, hundreds of internally displaced people in Manipur took to the streets demanding government-mandated resettlement. Their rally, organized by the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), began at Kwakeithel and was aimed at reaching Lok Bhavan to confront Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla regarding their urgent request for resettlement. Protesters were met with resistance from security forces, including the Rapid Action Force, and were stopped at Keisampat junction, approximately 200 meters from their intended destination.
The demonstrators vocally expressed their grievances, chanting slogans that emphasized their right to return home, while holding placards that reiterated the need for the governor’s immediate response. Messages on the placards indicated that resettlement is viewed not as a privilege but as a citizen’s right, calling for an end to delays in the resettlement process for internally displaced persons (IDPs).
Protesters highlighted their frustrations regarding the lack of communication from the government, particularly concerning the numerous memorandums requesting resettlement that have been submitted without any acknowledgment or response. One protester, S Kebisana Devi, articulated the sentiment of many, remarking on the government’s silence in the face of citizens’ hardships.
It was noted that Chief Secretary Puneet Kumar Goel had previously stated that around 10,000 individuals displaced due to ethnic violence in May 2023 have received resettlement support. He referenced the government’s commitment to a phased resettlement approach, backed by a significant Rs 573 crore Resettlement and Rehabilitation Package introduced in the 2025-26 Manipur Budget, which aims to address the needs of the affected population. However, the ongoing protests signify a pressing demand from IDPs for expeditious and effective action from the government regarding their resettlement rights.
