IT News
Imphal, April 17:
From the ashes of a shattered home in Churachandpur, a mother of three has risen to become a fierce voice for Manipur’s internally displaced communities. Naorem Rojita, currently taking shelter at the Phubala Relief Camp, has carried the collective hope and determination of those uprooted by the ethnic conflict that erupted on May 3, 2023, all the way to New Delhi.
Her journey was nothing short of extraordinary. With just Rs. 30 pooled from each fellow inmate and a handful of well-wishers, Rojita traveled to the capital not for herself, but for thousands whose lives have been turned upside down. Her mission: to ensure that the plight of the displaced is heard where it matters most.
In Delhi, Rojita submitted a memorandum containing 20 urgent demands to the Chairman of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), calling for immediate redress and long-term rehabilitation of IDPs. The same document was sent to the President, Prime Minister, Home Minister, Defence Minister, Finance Minister, Human Resource Minister, and the Governor of Manipur.
The memorandum resonated with concerns earlier raised when six Supreme Court judges from NALSA visited relief camps in Manipur on March 22, 2025, bringing a renewed sense of urgency to the appeal.
Speaking to the media upon her return in Imphal, Rojita said, “This submission was made with deep sincerity, with the hope that authorities will respond to the pressing needs of displaced families. We believe our voices will be heard and our cooperation is unwavering.”
Rojita’s visit wasn’t confined to formal meetings. She also stood shoulder to shoulder with others at the “Koubru Kashi” demonstration and a solemn prayer meeting organized by the Delhi Meetei Coordinating Committee (DMCC) at Jantar Mantar on April 6.
Due to the ongoing blockade imposed by the Kuki-Zo community, which has restricted Meitei access to roadways in their dominated areas, Rojita had no choice but to fly back to Imphal—underscoring the persistent logistical and humanitarian challenges faced by her community.
The 20-point charter she submitted is a roadmap for survival and dignity. It calls for immediate issuance of new UID-based IDP identity cards, mental health support, access to quality education, and a comprehensive insurance policy for health and property. The demands extend to protection of ancestral land, structured resettlement for displaced Meeteis, and financial assistance including student stipends, travel concessions, and seasonal aid.
Economic revival is another cornerstone of the memorandum, urging the government to implement employment schemes, foster entrepreneurship, and create job opportunities. Political rights—such as proper voter registration, RTI access, and representation—feature prominently, as do calls for youth empowerment through scholarships, coaching for competitive exams, sports training, documentation support, and exclusive market spaces for IDP entrepreneurs.
Naorem Rojita’s journey reflects more than a mother’s resilience—it captures the spirit of a community that refuses to be forgotten. In carrying their voices to the national stage, she has transformed grief into grit, and despair into determined advocacy.
