The Meitei Society of Churachandpur has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and authorities to take a clear stance on the resettlement of internally displaced persons (IDPs), insisting they be allowed to return to their original homes rather than to vaguely termed “appropriate places.”
At a press conference held at the Manipur Press Club today, Irom Abung Meitei, Assistant Secretary (Information and Publicity) of the society, welcomed the Prime Minister’s first visit to Manipur after over 28 months of conflict but expressed disappointment over his speech. He questioned the assurance of resettling IDPs at “appropriate places,” describing the term as ambiguous.
“The word ‘appropriate’ carries double meanings. Does it mean prefabricated shelters or new settlements, or does it mean our original homes? We would have appreciated it if the Prime Minister had clearly promised to resettle the displaced at their original places,” he said.
The society stressed that IDPs from both hills and valley should be returned to their homes as they stood before May 3, 2023. Their demands include reconstruction of demolished houses, monetary compensation to each affected household, and central government jobs for at least one member of every displaced family.
While expressing disappointment that no concrete policy for IDPs was announced, the society reiterated hope for peace in Manipur and pledged full cooperation to restore normalcy.