RELAY SIT-IN PROTEST AT LAMBOIKHONGANGKHONG INTENSIFIES AS DEADLINE NEARS FOR IDPS RESETTLEMENT IN MANIPUR
With barely four days remaining before the government’s declared deadline for the resettlement of internally displaced persons (IDPs), the relay sit-in protest at Lamboikhongnangkhong continues unabated, reflecting deepening anxiety and frustration among thousands of affected families. The protest, jointly organized by the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) and representatives of the displaced communities, seeks to press for immediate, transparent, and time-bound action to ensure the safe return and proper rehabilitation of IDPs to their respective homes.
Participants in the protest reiterated that the commitment to resettle all IDPs within the stipulated timeframe must not remain a mere announcement but be backed by concrete measures on the ground. Despite repeated assurances from the authorities, protestors allege that there has been little visible progress, no clear resettlement roadmap, and no formal communication outlining when and how the displaced families will be returned to their villages and localities.
As part of the agitation, IDPs and COCOMI leaders have been submitting memorandums to the Governor of Manipur, urging urgent intervention. The memorandums highlight the prolonged suffering of displaced families who have been living in relief camps and temporary shelters for months, facing inadequate facilities, limited livelihood opportunities, and mounting social and psychological stress. Protestors stressed that continued delays would further aggravate their hardships, particularly for vulnerable sections such as women, children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities.
Speakers at the protest site emphasized that resettlement must be accompanied by comprehensive rehabilitation measures. These include restoration of damaged homes, provision of basic amenities, access to healthcare and education, livelihood support, and, most importantly, robust security arrangements to ensure that returnees feel safe and protected. Without these assurances, they argued, any attempt at resettlement would be incomplete and unsustainable.
The relay sit-in has drawn attention from local authorities, civil society organisations, and the media, bringing renewed focus to the unresolved displacement crisis in Manipur. COCOMI leaders cautioned that the credibility of the government is at stake, as failure to meet the promised deadline could further erode public trust. They appealed to the authorities to strictly adhere to the resettlement schedule and to communicate clearly with the displaced communities, so that uncertainty and misinformation do not prevail.
Despite the tension surrounding the issue, the protest has remained peaceful and disciplined, with participants taking turns to sustain the relay sit-in. Organisers said this form of protest reflects both restraint and determination, conveying a clear message that the displaced people are seeking justice, dignity, and a return to normal life rather than confrontation.
The protestors have made it clear that the agitation will continue until their demands are formally acknowledged and addressed through concrete action. As the deadline approaches, the sit-in at Lamboikhongnangkhong stands as a powerful reminder that the resettlement of IDPs is not merely an administrative task, but a humanitarian and moral obligation one that requires urgency, accountability, and decisive political will to restore normalcy and stability in Manipur.
Participants in the protest reiterated that the commitment to resettle all IDPs within the stipulated timeframe must not remain a mere announcement but be backed by concrete measures on the ground. Despite repeated assurances from the authorities, protestors allege that there has been little visible progress, no clear resettlement roadmap, and no formal communication outlining when and how the displaced families will be returned to their villages and localities.
As part of the agitation, IDPs and COCOMI leaders have been submitting memorandums to the Governor of Manipur, urging urgent intervention. The memorandums highlight the prolonged suffering of displaced families who have been living in relief camps and temporary shelters for months, facing inadequate facilities, limited livelihood opportunities, and mounting social and psychological stress. Protestors stressed that continued delays would further aggravate their hardships, particularly for vulnerable sections such as women, children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities.
Speakers at the protest site emphasized that resettlement must be accompanied by comprehensive rehabilitation measures. These include restoration of damaged homes, provision of basic amenities, access to healthcare and education, livelihood support, and, most importantly, robust security arrangements to ensure that returnees feel safe and protected. Without these assurances, they argued, any attempt at resettlement would be incomplete and unsustainable.
The relay sit-in has drawn attention from local authorities, civil society organisations, and the media, bringing renewed focus to the unresolved displacement crisis in Manipur. COCOMI leaders cautioned that the credibility of the government is at stake, as failure to meet the promised deadline could further erode public trust. They appealed to the authorities to strictly adhere to the resettlement schedule and to communicate clearly with the displaced communities, so that uncertainty and misinformation do not prevail.
Despite the tension surrounding the issue, the protest has remained peaceful and disciplined, with participants taking turns to sustain the relay sit-in. Organisers said this form of protest reflects both restraint and determination, conveying a clear message that the displaced people are seeking justice, dignity, and a return to normal life rather than confrontation.
The protestors have made it clear that the agitation will continue until their demands are formally acknowledged and addressed through concrete action. As the deadline approaches, the sit-in at Lamboikhongnangkhong stands as a powerful reminder that the resettlement of IDPs is not merely an administrative task, but a humanitarian and moral obligation one that requires urgency, accountability, and decisive political will to restore normalcy and stability in Manipur.
