Imphal, January 08: Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader and former Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh has asserted that true normalcy cannot return to Manipur unless internally displaced persons (IDPs) are allowed to return to their homes. Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Ibobi stressed that peace is more than the absence of violence and highlighted the plight of those still confined to relief camps.

“Normalcy will only return when those living in relief camps are able to safely return to their homes,” he stated, emphasizing that the current state of displacement is unsustainable.

Okram Ibobi, accompanied by a delegation from the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC), met the Governor to discuss the state’s ongoing crisis and presented a series of suggestions aimed at resolving the situation. The delegation included MPCC President Keisham Meghachandra, Deputy CLP Leader K. Ranjit, Congress Legislature Party Chief Whip Th. Lokeshwar, Congress MP Dr. Bimol Akoijam, and Congress MLA Surjakumar Okram.

During the meeting, the Congress leaders urged the Governor to prioritize the safety, rehabilitation, and resettlement of displaced individuals. They also called for collaborative efforts to prevent a recurrence of the crisis and ensure lasting peace in the state.

Okram Ibobi reaffirmed the Congress Party’s commitment to supporting measures for crisis resolution. He underscored the importance of addressing the challenges faced by those in relief camps and expediting their return to native places.

Governor Bhalla reportedly expressed openness to the suggestions put forth by the Congress delegation, assuring them of his intent to consider initiatives to restore peace and stability in Manipur.