IDPs Question Kuki Forum Over Collected Funds

• Imphal IDPs ask ITLF to disclose details of funds and documents collected
• ₹3,000 per land plot allegedly taken from each displaced family in 2023
• 12-page statement questions accountability of ITLF’s “Planning Department”
• Issue surfaces as Supreme Court hears case on relief for Manipur IDPs

GG News Bureau
Imphal/Churachandpur, 18th Jan: Members of tribal communities displaced from Manipur’s capital Imphal after the Meitei–Kuki ethnic violence in May 2023 have formally questioned a leading Kuki civil society body, demanding full disclosure of money and documents collected from them in the name of pursuing compensation cases.

In a strongly worded statement, the Joint Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Churachandpur said that over two years ago, the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF) based in Churachandpur collected ₹3,000 per plot of land from every displaced family from Imphal. Since then, they said, there has been no communication on how the money was used or what legal steps were taken.

The statement, signed by 10 IDP representatives, said the collections were made from “already vulnerable, displaced, and economically fragile families” dependent on institutional integrity. “Despite a lapse of over two years, no communication on outcomes or financial accounting has been provided. This is a matter of grave concern,” it said.

The IDPs have now demanded a written explanation from ITLF on the purpose of the funds, actions taken, results achieved (if any), and a complete financial disclosure with records and present status of the money collected. They have also sought clarity on the custody, use, and current whereabouts of their land and personal documents.

The representatives alleged that displaced tribal families may have been “misled or hoodwinked” by what they referred to as the so-called “ITLF Planning Department.” They said the prolonged silence of the forum reflects “a serious failure of accountability, ethical responsibility, and governance,” eroding trust among affected communities.

Attempts to reach ITLF for comment remained unsuccessful, with calls to key members from 2023–24 going unanswered. One of the 10 signatories confirmed to NDTV that the statement was genuine, adding, “We want answers,” while requesting anonymity.

The controversy has emerged at a time when the ITLF has faded from the frontline of negotiations after the Kuki Zo Council (KZC) took over as the main civil interlocutor in talks with the government and insurgent groups that are part of the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement.

Separately, Delhi-based Manipur lawyer Siam Phaipi said a petition related to IDP relief is scheduled for hearing in the Supreme Court. His earlier PIL in the Manipur High Court sought transparency on funds spent for relief camps and alleged discrimination in aid distribution between the valley and hill areas. The High Court disposed of the case, saying the matter was already before the Supreme Court.

Ethnic violence between the valley-dominant Meitei community and hill-based Kuki tribes erupted in May 2023 over disputes linked to land rights and political representation. The clashes have killed more than 260 people and displaced nearly 50,000 residents across Manipur.