Non-camped IDPs stage sit-in protest demanding immediate implementation of Manipur High Court order

Demanding the immediate implementation of the June 11, 2026, Manipur High Court order, non-camped Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Churachandpur district, Manipur, staged a sit-in protest at the Wall of Remembrance in Tuibong, Churachandpur, on Thursday.

The IDPs also demanded relief assistance for non-camped IDPs in Churachandpur and the continuation of Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) for camped IDPs until a final settlement.

IDPs from different parts of the district gathered at the Wall of Remembrance and held placards highlighting their demands and grievances.

Speaking to the media, Reuben Haokip, secretary of the IDP Welfare Committee, Churachandpur, said the sit-in protest was staged to demand the immediate implementation of the Manipur High Court order dated June 11, 2026.

Reuben said the High Court order directed the administration to provide relief materials to non-camped IDPs on par with camped IDPs. He said the High Court had given the administration 10 weeks, with September 7 as the deadline, to comply with the order. However, he alleged that the government and administration had not paid any attention to the matter so far.

“Therefore, in order to pressurise the authorities and ensure implementation as soon as possible within the timeframe given by the High Court, we staged the sit-in protest today,” the secretary said.

Reuben informed that they had submitted a forwarding letter to the Deputy Commissioner of Churachandpur district but had not received any positive response.

Although they had not yet raised their concerns with the MLAs in the district, Reuben said they had approached Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen to look into the matter.

Reuben said there are 4,389 IDP families, comprising 20,487 non-camped IDPs, in Churachandpur. He said the IDPs face countless problems, with financial hardship being the main concern.

“Because if there is no money, nothing can be done in this world. Besides, it is difficult to build a house here, and we cannot find land free of cost. Land is very expensive,” Reuben said.

He said IDPs need several lakhs of rupees to build a house. “But where will the IDPs get all that money to buy land and build a house?” Reuben asked, adding that it is a major challenge for them. Without assistance from the government, it is impossible for the IDPs to return or live a normal life, he added.

Regarding their future course of action, Reuben said, “Until the High Court order is implemented, we will do whatever we can and approach whoever we can in order to achieve our demands.”

He said there is no division between camped and non-camped IDPs in Kangpokpi district and Imphal. However, he said the problem in Churachandpur district is that IDPs have been divided into camped and non-camped categories.

Alleging that such a division among IDPs is a failure of the district administration, Reuben also said that social leaders in the district may have contributed to the division of IDPs into camped and non-camped categories.