7 months ago
Manipur IDPs Rally for Safe Return
A big group of people who had to leave their homes, called IDPs, along with some volunteers, had a protest in Imphal, Manipur.
They wanted to go back to their homes safely and asked the government to help them.
They walked in a big group, holding signs and shouting to show how hard things are for people living in camps.
They even had a small argument with the police, but later, some of their leaders were allowed to talk to important government people.
They gave them a letter asking for help, but they're still waiting for an answer.
This protest happened after they had been asking for help for a whole month before.
The governor said there is no 'buffer zone' in Manipur, but the people are still scared because of gunfire near their homes.
Hundreds of IDPs and COCOMI volunteers rallied in Imphal demanding security for returning to their abandoned villages.
The rally followed a month-long protest in December 2025, seeking rehabilitation and restoration of normal life.
Tension arose at Keishampat where protesters argued with police, but a delegation was allowed to meet with officials.
The delegation submitted memorandums to the Chief Secretary’s office and Raj Bhavan, seeking urgent government intervention.
Governor AK Bhalla denied the existence of a 'buffer zone' in Manipur and promised action against those promoting the narrative.
- Who
- Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and COCOMI volunteers
- What
- A rally demanding safe return and security for IDPs
- Where
- Imphal West district, Manipur
- When
- January 12, 2026, following a month-long agitation in December 2025
- Why
- To highlight the hardships faced by families living in relief camps and demand government intervention for their safe return and rehabilitation
Key facts
- Location
- Imphal West district, Manipur
- Date
- January 12, 2026
- Organizers
- Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and COCOMI volunteers
- Key Demand
- Safe return and rehabilitation of IDPs
- Memorandum Submitted To
- Chief Secretary’s office and Raj Bhavan
- Protest Duration
- Month-long agitation in December 2025
- Protest Outcome
- Memorandum submitted, awaiting government response
- Governor's Statement
- Denied existence of 'buffer zone' in Manipur
- Previous Incident
- IDPs forced to leave homes due to gunfire on December 16, 2025
Quotes
Khuraijam Athouba
Convenor of the COCOMI, an umbrella body of Meitei civil society organizations
“The hon'ble governor told us there is nothing called 'buffer zone' in Manipur. It is a narrative used by some elements to break up Manipur. He said a meeting will be held tomorrow on the matter. Since the governor has spoken, those who run the 'buffer zone' narrative should face action”
NDTV
