IPFM Stands with Displaced Persons in Manipur Amidst Crisis
In a show of solidarity, the Indigenous People's Forum Manipur (IPFM) visited the Lamboikhongnangkhong area, where Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and members of the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI) are protesting. The visit took place on December 24, 2025.
Relief Distribution and Solidarity
Essential items, including sugar and dal, were distributed to the displaced persons during the visit. IPFM Chief Advisor Wungnaoshang Kasar, popularly known as Ashang Kasar, expressed hope that the Christmas festival would serve as a moment to restore the age-old unity among the people.
Reviving Unity and Rebuilding Trust
Ashang Kasar emphasized the need to revive the spirit of unity rather than allowing relationships among communities to deteriorate further. IPFM member SM Jalal and Thadou leader Michael Lamjathang Haokip also spoke on the occasion, urging for the rebuilding of trust and bonds among different communities.
Addressing the Broader Context
The current crisis in Manipur, according to Ashang Kasar, is being engineered by vested interests, leading to a serious breakdown of long-standing relationships among communities. This issue is not unique to Manipur but resonates with the complexities of communal relations in many regions of Northeast India and India as a whole.
Looking Forward
COCOMI convenor Khuraijam Athouba expressed gratitude for the IPFM team's solidarity. The IPFM's actions serve as a reminder that it is crucial for civil society organizations to stand together in times of crisis, working towards rebuilding trust and fostering unity.