The Tribal Youth Council Manipur (TYCM), Council Headquarters, has stated that it will convene a Central Executive Council meeting on February 28 to decide its course of action as the one-month ultimatum served to the Government of Manipur over the functioning of the Tribal Girls’ Hostel at Old Lambulane comes to an end.
The council had served the ultimatum on January 28, 2026, prior to the formation of the popular government, demanding commencement of the hostel’s functioning. It also informed the present Chief Minister of Manipur in writing regarding the deadline. With the ultimatum period set to expire on February 28, the TYCM-CHQ said it would decide whether to extend the deadline or launch democratic forms of agitation.
The council recalled that the Tribal Girls’ Hostel at Old Lambulane had been occupied by paramilitary forces from May 3, 2023, following the outbreak of ethnic violence in the state. It had demanded that the Government vacate the premises, and the hostel was subsequently vacated on September 20, 2025.
Following the vacation, the TYCM Women and Child Wing submitted representations to the Director and the Additional Chief Secretary of the Tribal Affairs and Hills Department in November and December 2025, seeking early resumption of the hostel’s functioning to alleviate hardships faced by tribal girl students. However, the council said the hostel has not been made operational so far.
According to TYCM, tribal girl students from remote and far-flung areas are currently staying in rented accommodations in Imphal, placing financial strain on their families, many of whom depend on agriculture for livelihood. With the new academic session approaching, the council stated that continued delay in reopening the hostel would defeat its intended purpose of supporting students from disadvantaged regions.