Only 6 days left, IDPs remind Govt

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Dec 26: Reminding the Government that only six days are left to fulfil its promise of resettling the displaced families, IDP representatives have expressed deep concern over the absence of visible, time-bound and ground-level actions required to facilitate safe, dignified and voluntary settlement.
Endorsed by the Coordinating Committee on Mani- pur Integrity (COCOMI), joint representatives of IDPs submitted another reminder memorandum to the Governor and the Chief Secretary today.
It said that despite repeated memoranda and representations, IDPs continue to languish in relief camps under inhuman conditions for more than 2.7 years, deprived of normal life, security, livelihood, education and dignity.
The prolonged resettlement delay has led to growing anxiety, psychological distress and loss of confidence among the displaced population, it said.
Resettlement of IDPs is not merely an administrative exercise but a constitutional and moral obligation of the State, and a prerequisite for restoring peace, normalcy and public trust, the IDP representatives pointed out through the reminder memorandum.
It said that any further delay risks undermining the credibility of the peace process and emboldening anti-peace elements who thrive on continued displacement and instability.
Through the reminder memorandum, the joint representatives of IDPs have once again urged the Government to immediately issue a clear, written and public resettlement plan with village-wise timelines.
The reminder memorandum also urged the Government to ensure adequate security deployment to facilitate safe return of IDPs, hold concerned officials accountable for lapses or delays, and engage directly with IDP representatives to ensure transparency and confidence-building.
“We once again appeal to your good offices to intervene decisively so that the assured resettlement is honoured within the remaining six days in letter and spirit”, read the reminder memorandum.