A massive protest rally rocked Lungthulien village in Pherzawl District early this morning, as angry villagers took to the streets around 7:00 am, accusing the Village Authority (VA) Chairman and Secretary of gross misuse of Job Card material funds and favoritism in the selection of beneficiaries under the PMAY-G housing scheme.
Hundreds of villagers, who included women and youth, marched through the main streets of the village shouting slogans and demanding accountability from the local leadership. Protesters held placards condemning corruption and demanding transparency in the implementation of welfare programmes meant for rural development.
The unrest came in the wake of a tense meeting called by the SDO of Parbung at the Lungthulien Community Hall on the evening of November 11, 2025. The meeting, attended by members of local CSOs and representatives of the Village Authority, reportedly ended in stalemate. According to community sources, the SDO refused the CSOs’ proposal for an independent review of financial records and beneficiary lists; this has further inflamed resentment among the villagers.
Speaking to the local reporters, several protesters accused the Village Authority leaders of diverting materials and funds earmarked for the Job Card holders and tampering with the selection processes under PMAY-G in order to benefit close associates and relatives of VA members. They demanded an immediate dissolution of the present VA and holding fresh elections under The Manipur (Village Authorities in Hill Areas) Act, 1956.
“The villagers have lost faith in the present authority. We want a clean and accountable leadership that works for everyone, not for a few,” said one protester representing the Lungthulien CSOs.
The protesters threatened that if their demands go unheard, they will go to higher authorities, file complaints, and request a thorough investigation into what they say is misappropriation of public funds and abuse of authority.
Today’s rally, joined by an unusually large turnout in this small hill village, reflects deep frustration among residents over the alleged irregularities. The community leaders have also announced that they are ready to help government agencies carry out an on-the-spot investigation to get to the bottom of the issue.
Observers have commented that the growing tension in Lungthulien reflects the larger public outcry from the hill districts of Manipur, where allegations of mismanagement of funds under rural development schemes have become common.
As of filing this report, no official statement has been issued by the Parbung SDO or the district administration regarding the villagers’ allegations.