Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Imphal, currently taking shelter in Churachandpur and Kangpokpi, have alleged that the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) misled them into handing over money and personal documents under false pretences. According to a formal complaint submitted to the President of ITLF, Lamka, the Planning Department of the Forum had, over two years ago, collected Rs. 13,000 per plot of land from IDPs along with land pattas and personal documents, claiming the funds were required to file a compensation case in the Supreme Court of India.
The complainants stated that despite the passage of over two and a half years, the ITLF has not communicated the status of the case, the whereabouts of the documents, or the utilisation of the funds collected. Repeated attempts by IDPs to obtain clarification have reportedly met with silence, raising concerns of deliberate misrepresentation.
The complaint highlights that such conduct constitutes a serious breach of accountability and ethical responsibility, eroding trust in the Forum. The IDPs have demanded a detailed written explanation regarding the purpose of the collections, full financial disclosure, status of the documents, and a comprehensive list of funds collected. The petitioners warned that failure to provide transparency may further confirm suspicions of misappropriation and deliberate exploitation of vulnerable displaced communities.
This incident highlights the vulnerabilities of IDPs and the urgent need for institutional oversight to prevent exploitation by organisations claiming to represent their interests.