New Delhi : The prolonged struggle of thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Manipur took centre stage in the Lok Sabha on Friday, as Manipur MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam urged the Centre to immediately chart a transparent and time-bound roadmap for their return and rehabilitation.

The appeal was made during Zero Hour, more than a year after ethnic violence first erupted in the state in May 2023.

Speaking in Manipuri, Akoijam stressed that many displaced families continue to live in relief camps without clarity on when they will be able to return home. He warned that allowing the situation to drag on into a third year could deepen existing mistrust and prolong suffering.

“People want to return with safety and dignity,” he said, pressing the government to establish a credible mechanism to restore normalcy.

The MP further alleged that security forces had used excessive force on displaced persons during protests demanding resettlement – an approach he said only complicates prospects for a durable resolution.

He hinted that the current paralysis over rehabilitation may reflect the stance of sections within the Kuki community who oppose resettlement efforts.

Calling the continued displacement a failure of administrative responsibility, Akoijam accused “vested interests” of intentionally obstructing the return of affected families.

He insisted that only decisive and transparent intervention from the Centre can ensure that thousands of citizens, stranded for over a year, receive the opportunity to rebuild their lives without further delay.