Relief Committee Manipur raises alarm over separation of families in IDP Camps

The Relief Committee Manipur, a solidarity group dedicated to relief services for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), has raised serious concern over the separation of displaced families across different relief camps and fabricated shelters in the state. The committee pointed out that fathers, mothers, and their children have been allotted accommodation in separate camps, creating immense emotional and practical hardships for the already-traumatised IDP population.
In a statement issued today, Bon Thoidingjam, Chief Coordinator of the Relief Committee Manipur, stated that the displacement of people began on May 3, 2023, following violent attacks by Kuki narco-terrorist groups on the Meitei community. Since then, many affected families have been relocated to various relief camps and makeshift fabricated houses. However, instead of being kept together, members of the same family are being split—fathers and sons in one location, and mothers and daughters in another.
The statement highlighted that such a fragmented approach to rehabilitation has added further psychological distress and insecurity among IDPs, many of whom are still struggling to recover from the trauma of losing their homes and livelihoods. Families, particularly those with young children or elderly members, are finding it extremely difficult to manage day-to-day needs without the support of their full household unit.
Thoidingjam noted that despite repeated appeals for families to be housed together in the same camp, the authorities have yet to take meaningful action. He warned that this continued separation could lead to long-term emotional and mental health consequences for the displaced population.
The committee also pointed out that many of the displaced lost everything to the violence—including their homes, belongings, and sources of income. Now, being forced to live apart from their loved ones has only deepened their suffering. In many cases, the bonds between parents and children are being strained as family members are made to reside in different locations, with limited communication and access.
The Relief Committee Manipur has urged the concerned authorities to urgently review the current placement policy and take steps to reunite separated family members in the same relief camps. The committee emphasised that this is not only a matter of logistical convenience but a humanitarian necessity, essential for the emotional well-being, dignity, and recovery of those displaced by the conflict.