Imphal: The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) has issued an ultimatum. It threatened a mass agitation starting August 1 if the Manipur government stops Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) aid for internally displaced persons (IDPs) living outside of relief camps. The warning follows reports that officials are categorizing displaced families into campers and non-campers to cut off funding.
During a Wednesday press conference at the COCOMI office in Lamphel, organizers demanded the immediate release of July payments. These are currently overdue. COCOMI convenor YK Dhiren stated: "The people did not choose to become internally displaced, nor are they responsible for the crisis." He argued that all families displaced since the May 3, 2023, crisis deserve equal support until they are safely resettled.
Non-camp IDPs are struggling. They currently rely on government payments of approximately Rs 100 per person per day to cover rent, food, and medical bills. Leishangthem Gojendro, an IDP from Moreh, noted that families in rented homes or staying with relatives face the same hardships as those inside official camps. Naba Ningthoujam, representing IDPs from Churachandpur, expressed shock at the move. He cited previous verbal assurances from the Governor, Chief Minister, and Chief Secretary that aid would persist until permanent rehabilitation occurred.
Scores of affected individuals gathered at Sub-Divisional Officer offices recently to demand their missing funds. Subhachandra, Co-Convenor of the Churachandpur Meitei United Committee, stated the path forward clearly. "If the assistance is not transferred by July 31, IDPs will begin democratic protests from the very next day." COCOMI maintains that ending this assistance now is unacceptable while displaced families lack stable livelihoods.
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