Imphal West, Manipur | July 13, 2025: Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from the Kangchup area of Manipur’s Imphal West district have strongly opposed the state government’s proposed resettlement plan, calling the offered financial aid of ₹75,000 per family grossly inadequate.
According to a government order issued on June 5, 2025, displaced families were instructed to return to their homes and begin repairs by July 15. Each family was promised ₹75,000 for resettlement, and ₹3 lakh for reconstruction of fully damaged homes. However, this announcement has sparked widespread protests among the IDPs, many of whom recently revisited their long-abandoned homes — some after more than two years — under heavy security deployment.
Most of the returning families belong to Kangchup Kharang, a Meitei village near the Kuki-dominated Kangpokpi district. Their homes had been destroyed during ethnic violence and militant attacks that forced them to flee. Upon assessing the condition of their houses, many expressed frustration over the government’s financial package.
“Repairing our homes is impossible with just ₹75,000. It’s simply not enough,” said an affected IDP, standing before the ruins of his former residence.
During the protest, Ningthoujam Popilal, former President of the Manipur Pradesh Youth Congress Committee (MPYCC), voiced the IDPs’ anger and raised doubts about the government’s intentions. He pointed out that many extended families shared single homes, and that ₹75,000 would have to be split among several families living under one roof, making it even more insufficient.
Popilal also questioned the timing and sincerity of the resettlement drive. He suggested that the initiative, launched under President’s Rule, may be politically motivated to show progress before the upcoming Parliament session on July 21.
“The way this is being pushed on the ground raises serious questions. Is this truly about resettlement, or is it just to make a claim in Parliament?” he asked.
Adding to the anger, Popilal highlighted a previous compensation order issued on November 9, 2023, which promised significantly higher aid:
- ₹10 lakh for fully burnt pucca houses
- ₹7 lakh for semi-pucca houses
- ₹5 lakh for kutcha houses
The current package, in comparison, marks a sharp reduction, leading many to accuse the administration of backtracking on earlier promises.
“Why has the aid been drastically reduced under President’s Rule?” Popilal questioned.
He further alleged that, despite announcements of ₹1 lakh each for around 60,000 displaced families, only two families from Phayeng and Kangchup Kharang received a meagre ₹25,000 each.
The Manipur government recently announced its plan to shut down all IDP relief camps by December 2025 as part of a three-phase rehabilitation strategy. The first phase targets those whose homes were not set on fire, with resettlement and security support scheduled to begin this month.
However, the response on the ground reveals a deep dissatisfaction with the financial provisions and a lingering sense of neglect among affected communities. As the July 15 return deadline approaches, the IDPs continue to demand fair treatment, adequate compensation, and a resettlement process that addresses their real hardships and housing needs.
