Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) currently residing in relief camps across Manipur have strongly objected to the proposed Census, stating that the process cannot be fairly conducted while they remain displaced from their homes.

The issue was raised during a meeting held at Sajiwa Relief Camp, where IDPs, along with members of the Campaign for Just and Fair Delimitation (JFD), discussed the government’s plan to begin house listing from September.

Speaking at the meeting, Khoirom Dhamen, an IDP from Ekou now staying at the camp, said initiating the exercise without ensuring the return and rehabilitation of displaced families would be both impractical and unjust.

He highlighted that since the outbreak of violence on May 3, 2023, many families have been forced to flee after their homes were burnt, leaving them dependent on relief camps across the state.

Dhamen stressed that individuals in relief camps lack proper house numbers and residential documentation, making their inclusion in the house listing process difficult. He urged the government to reconsider its decision and prioritise the rehabilitation of affected families.

He also warned that proceeding with the exercise without addressing these concerns could trigger widespread opposition from IDPs, adding that any resulting consequences would have to be borne by the government.

During the meeting, JFD Convenor Jeetendra Ningomba raised concerns over the alleged influx of illegal immigrants into the state, stating that it has contributed to growing demographic anxieties among the indigenous population. He called for greater public awareness on the issue.
Ningomba further alleged that demands for separate administration by certain groups have prolonged the displacement crisis, with many IDPs continuing to live in relief camps for nearly three years.

He urged the government to introduce policies to safeguard the interests of indigenous communities and questioned the lack of stringent legal action against armed groups involved in the violence.

The gathering also appealed to the government to clearly outline how the proposed house listing exercise would be carried out for IDPs currently living in relief camps without proper housing details, particularly if the process is set to begin in September.