The All Community Development Organisation Moreh (ACODOM) observed its 18th Foundation Day at Gpay Cafe Hall, Samaram Lamkhai, on Monday, with speakers expressing concern over the prolonged displacement of Meitei internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Moreh and urging the government to facilitate their safe return home.
L. Inaocha Meitei, chairman of the Committee on Protection of Meetei Victims, Moreh (COPMeV), attended the programme as chief guest. ACODOM president Th. Budha Meitei presided over the function, while Y. Jotila Leima, adviser to Nupi Khunai Chaokhat Lamjing Lup, Moreh, attended as guest of honour.
Speaking at the programme, COPMeV vice-chairman I. Rajendra Singh said the ongoing conflict in Manipur had forced many Meitei families from Moreh to live as IDPs for a prolonged period. He urged the displaced families to continue working towards rebuilding their lives and appealed to the state government to refrain from organising state-level celebrations until the displaced people were able to return to their homes.
Y. Jotila Leima recalled that ACODOM’s Foundation Day had been celebrated with participation from different communities in Moreh until 2022. However, she said the situation had changed drastically following the outbreak of violence in 2023, with many families displaced and forced to live in relief camps far from their homes.
Expressing concern over the conditions faced by the displaced people, she alleged that the assistance of Rs 100 per person per day was inadequate to meet their food, education and healthcare needs. She also criticised the lack of progress in resolving the crisis and expressed apprehension that political parties might exploit the plight of IDPs for electoral gains as elections approached.
L. Inaocha Meitei, in his address as chief guest, said successive governments had made promises to resettle the displaced families, but tangible progress remained elusive. He alleged that the state government had failed to implement an effective resettlement programme despite repeated assurances.