Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and members of the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) continued their protest for the second consecutive day at Lamboikhongnangkhong, reiterating their demand for immediate resettlement and return to their homes.
On the second day of the demonstration, several prominent figures from the legal fraternity, including Senior Advocate Khaidem Mani, former Chairperson of the Manipur Human Rights Commission, and former Justice N. Nautuneshwari, joined the protest to express solidarity with the displaced families.
COCOMI members stated that the agitation will continue without any rollback until the government ensures the return of all IDPs to their respective homes. They questioned the government’s claim that the law-and-order situation had improved. “They held the Sangai Festival saying normalcy has been restored. If that is the case, why are we still not allowed to return to our homes?” an aggrieved IDP told reporters.
Addressing the gathering, former Justice N. Nautuneshwari criticised the government for what she termed as a complete lack of sensitivity towards the displaced population. She said the daily compensation of Rs. 84 allotted to IDPs was “not even equal to the price of a cup of tea inside an aeroplane,” pointing out the stark contrast with the frequent air travel undertaken by MLAs, ministers and officials who, she said, “have witnessed the realities but failed to raise the issue.”
She added that apart from MLAs and government employees, everyone—including advocates—continues to suffer due to the prolonged crisis. Expressing dissatisfaction with the political leadership, she said leaders have been reacting only in response to Kuki statements instead of outlining a concrete plan for restoring peace and normalcy in Manipur.
The protest is expected to intensify in the coming days as IDPs assert that they can no longer endure prolonged displacement, urging the government to uphold its responsibility and take decisive action.