IMPHAL, July 10: The Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) has raised serious concerns over the ongoing hardships faced by Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the state and has demanded urgent intervention by both the State and Central governments.

In a letter to the Governor of Manipur, MPCC President Keisham Meghachandra Singh highlighted alleged irregularities in the construction of prefabricated houses and called for a fixed timeline to facilitate the dignified return of IDPs to their original homes.

The letter follows MPCC’s inspection of relief camps and prefab housing sites at Moirang, Phubala, and Saiton in Bishnupur district. Meghachandra alleged that the construction work is being carried out without a public tender process, potentially leading to large-scale misappropriation of funds. “There is a strong indication of a public loot of hundreds of crores of rupees,” he stated, further claiming that essential materials are being paid for but not delivered to the camps.

He emphasized that all financial aid intended for IDPs must be transferred directly to their individual bank accounts to prevent exploitation by intermediaries. “Transacting through middle persons or other representatives must stop immediately,” the letter read.

Calling for transparency and accountability, the MPCC president demanded an independent or judicial probe into the alleged financial misconduct, including an audit of all funds released since May 3, 2023, for relief and rehabilitation efforts.

Meghachandra also criticized the state government’s recent assurance to resettle IDPs in three phases by December, stating that this plan only involves relocating displaced people from relief camps to temporary prefab shelters rather than facilitating their return to their native districts. “There is neither any intent nor any policy of the government to ensure the IDPs return to their original districts,” he said, warning that this approach could worsen community divisions.

He urged that a clear and fixed timeline be established to ensure the safe and respectful return of all displaced persons to their original places of residence. The letter concluded with an appeal to uphold the rule of law and prioritize the fundamental rights of displaced citizens, stressing that meaningful action is essential for restoring peace and normalcy in the state.