Imphal: The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has urged the Manipur government to expedite the rehabilitation of internally displaced persons (IDPs), release pending financial assistance and ensure permanent housing for families still living in temporary relief camps.
Addressing a press conference at the committee’s office at Lamphel in Imphal, on Sunday, COCOMI convenor YK Dhiren said the government must move beyond assurances and implement concrete resettlement measures for families displaced by the ethnic conflict.
The committee said ensuring the safe and secure return of displaced people to their native villages is a responsibility that require urgent attention. It also called for a faster transition from temporary relief camps to permanent housing.
Citing the resettlement process at Dolaithabi, COCOMI urged the government to provide proper housing facilities to families who continue to live in temporary shelters despite the initial construction of new houses.
The committee also raised concerns over delays and disruptions in Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) assistance, demanding the immediate restoration and regular disbursement of cash relief to both camp-based and non-camp IDPs.
It said displaced people staying with relatives or in rented accommodation also face financial hardships when monthly assistance is delayed.
COCOMI further urged the state government to formally recognise affected Naga families and provide them with adequate relief materials and resettlement support. The committee said its recent appeals to the Naga community reflect shared concerns over the prevailing situation in the region and the alleged activities of armed groups.
Tracing the displacement to the violence that erupted on May 3, 2023, the committee alleged that attacks by “Chin-Kuki narco-terrorist groups” against the Meitei community had triggered the crisis.
While acknowledging earlier welfare assurances from the chief minister and the state government, COCOMI alleged that no substantial new initiatives have been undertaken beyond previously announced measures.
The committee also called on the government to prioritise humanitarian rehabilitation and the security of vulnerable areas in allocating public funds and administrative resources.
It argued that public money should not be spent on major state events, including the annual Sangai Festival, while thousands of people remain displaced from their homes.