Imphal : Thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs), accompanied by volunteers from the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), staged a massive rally in Imphal West district on Monday, demanding safe return to their homes with adequate security arrangements.

The rally began at Takhellambam Leikai and drew a large turnout, with participants marching in organized groups, holding placards, and chanting slogans to highlight the hardships faced by families living in relief camps.

Tension briefly flared near Keisampat Junction when protesters reportedly clashed verbally with security personnel deployed at the site. After the brief standoff, a delegation of 11 representatives, led by COCOMI convenor Khuraijam Athouba, was allowed to proceed.

The delegation later met officials at the Chief Secretary’s office and submitted a memorandum seeking urgent government intervention. “We have been submitting memorandums outlining the grievances of the people since December 1. The government should respond to the people of Manipur. Yet the present administration has failed even to send a reply. We will continue demanding responses to all the memorandums we have submitted,” Athouba said.

Following this, the representatives also visited Raj Bhavan and submitted the memorandum again, reiterating their key demand for the safe return and rehabilitation of IDPs to their native villages.

The protest follows a month-long agitation in December, during which IDPs and COCOMI repeatedly sought rehabilitation, resettlement, and restoration of normal life for displaced families. Authorities have yet to issue an official response to the latest memorandum.

Promotional | North East Integration Rally