Imphal : The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), along with valley-based Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), will launch an agitation on January 12, demanding time-bound and effective measures for the resettlement and rehabilitation of families displaced by the ongoing crisis in the state.

COCOMI convenor Khuraijam Athouba said on Wednesday that a delegation of IDPs had met the Manipur Chief Secretary on Tuesday to discuss issues related to rehabilitation and resettlement. He expressed hope that the government would respond to their demands before the January 12 deadline but noted that no concrete assurances had been made public so far.

“Our representatives met the Chief Secretary, and we expect the government to place the necessary information before the people as per our demands before January 12,” Athouba said on the sidelines of the launch of COCOMI’s official website in Imphal.

As part of the agitation programme, COCOMI has proposed a march towards Lok Bhavan to highlight the prolonged displacement of families who have been living in relief camps since violence erupted in Manipur. The organisation has consistently called for immediate steps to ensure the safe, dignified and permanent resettlement of all affected families.

On December 8, a COCOMI team led by Athouba visited Leimaram Waroiching Leikai, an area where displaced families are expected to return. Local leaders from Waroiching village were present during the inspection. Athouba raised serious concerns over the condition of abandoned homes, many of which are kutcha structures that have remained unattended for more than two-and-a-half years.

During the visit, the team conducted house-to-house inspections to assess structural damage and reviewed the government’s preparedness for resettlement. COCOMI Publicity In-Charge L Jayanta said the organisation has submitted several suggestions to the government, particularly regarding homes that have been deemed uninhabitable.

Meanwhile, the Manipur government has maintained that the resettlement process is being carried out cautiously to ensure safety, dignity and long-term stability for returning IDPs. On December 31, the state government said over 10,000 IDPs from more than 2,200 households have been resettled across Manipur.

The government said the resettlement drive is being implemented under a ?523-crore Resettlement and Rehabilitation Package announced in the Manipur Budget 2025-26. So far, ?35.46 crore has been released for the construction of new houses and ?9.26 crore for repairs to partially damaged homes, with around 4,000 houses currently under construction at various stages.

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