Imphal, Manipur: The Manipur government has announced the formation of state and district-level committees aimed at expediting the rehabilitation and resettlement of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). This decision comes amidst ongoing protests by displaced families who have been living in relief camps since the ethnic violence that broke out in May 2023.
The committees, effective immediately, signify the government's commitment to a coordinated and people-centered approach to restoring stability and supporting affected families. The state-level committee will be headed by the Chief Secretary and include Commissioners from the Finance, Home, and Rural Development and Panchayati Raj departments, with the Special or Additional Secretary (Home) serving as Convenor. This high-level body will provide strategic oversight and policy direction, ensuring unified decision-making and enhanced inter-departmental coordination to address systemic issues hindering rehabilitation efforts.
District-level committees, chaired by the respective Deputy Commissioners, will serve as the primary on-ground mechanism for implementation. These committees will include the Project Director (DRDA), the Additional Deputy Commissioner as Convenor, the Chief Executive Officer of the Zilla Parishad, and concerned Sub-Divisional Officers. Their responsibilities include driving field-level coordination, ensuring the seamless execution of rehabilitation measures, and providing timely feedback to facilitate swift decision-making at the state level.
The committees are tasked with monitoring and coordinating all rehabilitation and resettlement initiatives for IDPs and addressing any obstacles to ensure timely and efficient support delivery. This structured intervention is expected to streamline processes, enhance inter-departmental coordination, and ensure that assistance reaches families in need.
This move by the Manipur government follows protests by IDPs demanding their right to return home. Many displaced persons, largely Meiteis, have expressed their dissatisfaction with the government's handling of the situation, particularly with the recent Sangai Festival taking place while thousands remain displaced. Protesters view the festival as an attempt to project normalcy while ignoring the plight of those still living in relief camps. Some IDPs also criticized the daily allowance of ₹84 per person as "meagre and inadequate".
The formation of these committees is a crucial step towards addressing the needs of the over 70,000 people displaced by the ethnic violence. It remains to be seen how effectively these committees will function and whether they will be able to meet the demands of the IDPs for a "rightful and dignified resettlement".
