Hundreds of internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Sajiwa and Sawombung relief camps in Imphal East staged a strong protest on Wednesday, returning their entire November Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) ration allowance amounting to ₹11,74,320.

The agitation erupted after the newly introduced DBT system reportedly slashed the ration amount meant for purchasing rice from ₹20 to just ₹4 per person. Enraged IDPs stormed the office of the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) at Sawombung, denouncing the government’s decision as “insensitive and insulting.”

Finding the SDO absent, the protesters interacted with the staff present and eventually handed over the November allowance for all 466 displaced persons to the Sub-Deputy Collector (SDC).

IDP representative Koijam Sarat Meitei told reporters that the per-person allowance had been reduced from ₹100 to ₹84 after the DBT rollout on November 1, with the rice allocation plummeting drastically. “Where can we possibly buy rice with ₹4? This is nothing but an insult to our struggle,” he said.

A similar demonstration was held at the Mandop Yumpham Relief Camp in Khurkhul, where displaced families launched a sit-in protest against the reduced ration support.

The protests reflect mounting frustration among displaced families who continue to endure severe hardship months after being uprooted by the ongoing conflict in Manipur.