IMPHAL/UKHRUL: The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) and representatives of six organisations of internally displaced persons (IDPs) on Wednesday warned of a mass agitation beginning August 1 if the Manipur government goes ahead with its reported decision to discontinue Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) assistance for displaced persons living outside relief camps.
The warning was announced during a joint press conference held at COCOMI’s office in Lamphel, where COCOMI leaders and the Apex Committee of Meitei IDPs expressed strong opposition to the reported move to classify displaced families into “campers” and “non-campers” for the purpose of DBT assistance.
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Addressing the media, COCOMI convenor YK Dhiren said thousands of people have remained displaced since the outbreak of the Manipur crisis on May 3, 2023, and many families are still unable to return to their homes. He said the government has yet to provide any clear timeline on when the displaced would be safely resettled.
“The people did not choose to become internally displaced, nor are they responsible for the crisis. They were forced to leave their homes because of circumstances beyond their control,” Dhiren said.
He said reports that the government plans to stop DBT assistance for IDPs staying outside relief camps from this month have caused widespread anxiety among displaced families and the general public.
COCOMI maintained that all displaced persons, irrespective of whether they are staying in government relief camps or with relatives and rented accommodations, deserve equal treatment until they are safely rehabilitated.
“The government cannot discriminate between displaced people by creating categories such as campers and non-campers. Every IDP is equally affected by the crisis and deserves the same support,” Dhiren said.
He warned that if the government fails to release the pending DBT payments for July by July 31, COCOMI, IDP organisations and the people of Manipur would launch a large-scale democratic agitation from August 1.
Speaking to reporters, Leishangthem Gojendro, an IDP from Moreh, said the government has already begun differentiating between those living inside relief camps and those staying elsewhere.
“Families staying outside relief camps are also displaced persons. Many are living with relatives or in rented houses, struggling to survive while also paying rent, medical expenses and other daily costs. Simply because they are not in relief camps does not mean they no longer need assistance,” he said.
He urged the government either to withdraw the distinction between camp and non-camp IDPs or accommodate all displaced families in government relief camps instead of denying assistance to one section.
Another IDP representative, Naba Ningthoujam from Churachandpur, said the reported decision came despite repeated assurances from the Governor, Chief Minister and Chief Secretary that DBT assistance would continue until all displaced persons were permanently rehabilitated.
“We have submitted memorandums and received verbal assurances that the financial assistance would continue. We are shocked by reports that the DBT is now being stopped for a section of displaced families,” he said.
He pointed out that even those who have been partially resettled are yet to regain stable livelihoods and continue to depend on financial support.
The IDP representatives demanded that the government immediately release all pending DBT payments for July before July 31 and continue monthly assistance without discrimination.
They reiterated that if the government fails to release the pending assistance within the stipulated deadline, civil society organisations, displaced families and members of the public will launch an intensified mass movement from August 1, warning that discontinuing DBT before the displaced are fully rehabilitated would be unacceptable.
