Songpi: The Kuki Women Organisation for Human Rights (KWOHR), a prominent human rights body based in Churachandpur, has strongly condemned what it termed as the arbitrary, unjustified and inhumane reduction, exclusion, and threatened discontinuation of Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) and other essential relief assistance to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Churachandpur District.
In a strongly worded Press Condemnation issued today, August 25, 2026, from its Head Office at KIC Complex, Tuibuong, Churachandpur, the organisation expressed deep anguish and serious concern over the continued injustice, discrimination and neglect being meted out to thousands of displaced Kuki families who have been languishing in distress since the outbreak of ethnic violence in the state.
According to the detailed statement released by KWOHR’s Information & Publicity Department, among the total 15,409 officially registered IDPs in Churachandpur district, the number of eligible family members entitled to receive relief has been arbitrarily reduced without any transparent verification or prior notice. The organisation revealed that members belonging to as many as 3,119 registered IDP families have been completely excluded from the updated relief list, thereby depriving them of the monthly financial assistance of Rs 1,000 per person provided through DBT and other material benefits.
The press release further highlighted the even more alarming and continued denial of any form of government relief to more than 4,000 non-camped displaced families, which together comprise over 20,000 individuals, including women, children, elderly persons and persons with disabilities. These families, KWOHR pointed out, were displaced by the same cycle of violence that began on 3 May 2023 and have been forced to survive outside the official relief camp system, taking shelter with relatives, living in cramped rented houses, or in temporary makeshift accommodations in and around Lamka and other parts of the district.
KWOHR asserted in unequivocal terms that the fundamental right to humanitarian assistance, food, shelter and dignity cannot and should not depend on where a displaced person has been compelled to take temporary shelter for survival. All IDPs, whether living inside government-notified relief camps or outside, are equal victims of the conflict and are equally entitled to protection and relief under the law, it said.
Background: The Prolonged Kuki-Meitei Ethnic Conflict and Humanitarian Crisis
It may be recalled that the state of Manipur has been engulfed in a devastating and protracted ethnic conflict between the Kuki-Zo tribal communities, who predominantly inhabit the hill districts, and the Meitei community, who predominantly inhabit the Imphal valley, since 3 May 2023. The violence first erupted on that day during and after the Tribal Solidarity March organised by the All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur (ATSUM) in Churachandpur district to protest against the demand for inclusion of Meiteis in the Scheduled Tribes list and to protect tribal rights and identity.
What began as a protest quickly spiralled into large-scale ethnic violence, arson, killings and total geographical segregation of communities. Over the past more than three years, the conflict has claimed more than 250 lives on both sides according to official figures, injured thousands, burnt down over 7,000 houses and religious structures including churches and temples, and completely destroyed inter-community trust and coexistence.
One of the most severe and lasting consequences of this prolonged conflict has been the creation of a massive internal displacement crisis. According to government and civil society estimates, more than 60,000 people from both Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities have been internally displaced across Manipur. While the Meitei IDPs are largely housed in relief camps in the valley districts of Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur and Thoubal, the Kuki-Zo IDPs are housed in camps across the hill districts of Churachandpur, Kangpokpi and Chandel.
However, due to acute shortage of space in official camps, fear of insecurity, and the desire to stay close to extended families, several thousand Kuki-Zo families chose to live outside the camp system. These non-camped IDPs, though equally affected and equally vulnerable, have been systematically kept out of the relief distribution mechanism, in violation of humanitarian norms and judicial directions, human rights groups have alleged.
Grave Concern Over Non-Implementation of High Court Order
KWOHR, in its condemnation, also expressed grave concern, disappointment and anguish over the continued non-implementation of the significant Judgment and Order dated 11 June 2026 passed by the Hon’ble High Court of Manipur in PIL No. 9 of 2026. That public interest litigation was filed seeking equal relief and rehabilitation for all IDPs irrespective of their place of shelter.
In its landmark order, the Hon’ble High Court had reportedly directed the state government to extend all relief measures to eligible non-camped IDPs and had also emphasised the need to consider such assistance with retrospective effect from 3 May 2023, the date from which their displacement began.
KWOHR stated that despite clear judicial directions, the state administration has failed to comply with the order in letter and spirit. The organisation said the directions concerning relief to non-camped IDPs, including assistance with retrospective effect, must be implemented fully, fairly, transparently and without any discrimination or bureaucratic delay, to uphold the rule of law and constitutional morality.
Six-Point Charter of Demands
In view of the deteriorating humanitarian condition of the IDPs, KWOHR has strongly called upon the Government of Manipur and the Government of India to act immediately and without further delay, placing the following six demands:
1. Immediate restoration of DBT and all relief assistance that has been arbitrarily reduced, withheld, or threatened to be discontinued for all eligible camped IDPs in Churachandpur.
2. Immediate inclusion of all eligible members of the 3,119 registered IDP families who have been excluded from the relief list, without arbitrary exclusion, reduction or technical manipulation of data.
3. Immediate extension of full and equal relief assistance, including DBT, food grains, medicines and essential commodities, to all eligible non-camped IDPs, including those staying with relatives, in rented houses and other temporary shelters across the district.
4. Payment of eligible relief assistance to non-camped IDPs with retrospective effect from 3 May 2023, strictly in accordance with the directions of the Hon’ble High Court of Manipur in PIL No. 9 of 2026.
5. Continuation of DBT and essential relief assistance without interruption until a final settlement is reached and complete rehabilitation, resettlement or another durable and dignified solution is achieved for all displaced families.
6. Implementation of all relief, rehabilitation and resettlement measures in strict accordance with the provisions of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 and the constitutional principles of equality, non-discrimination, right to life and human dignity enshrined under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.
No IDP Family Must Be Left Behind
Reiterating its core humanitarian appeal, KWOHR, in its statement, powerfully asserted, “No displaced person should be denied relief because of where they have been forced to take shelter. No IDP family must be left behind. Relief is not charity; it is a right and a responsibility of the state.”
The organisation demanded that both the Government of Manipur and the Government of India must act immediately with a humanitarian approach and ensure justice, equal treatment, accountability and comprehensive humanitarian protection for every single displaced person, regardless of their current location of shelter.
KWOHR further warned that if the arbitrary cuts and discriminatory denial of relief continue, it will be compelled to explore all democratic, legal and human rights avenues to secure justice for the displaced people.
