'Told Us To Be Brave, Patient': College Student Living In Manipur Relief Camp On Interaction With PM Modi

Chingtham Lembi Devi, a college student in her early 20s, was among five other residents of Manipur’s relief camps who interacted with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his first visit to the strife-torn northeastern state since ethnic clashes began in May 2023.

Lembi Devi, who lives in the Akampat relief camp at Imphal, is an internally displaced person (IDP) as a result of the ethnic violence. She and 600 other families have been living in this camp for over more than two years now.

News18 visited her camp a day after her meeting with Modi. She was one of the representatives for her camp and gave an insight into the interaction with the Prime Minister.

“I was trembling, nervous, and shy in front of the Prime Minister. I had to pinch myself to believe

I was actually sitting in front of PM Modi. I represented the people in our camp and narrated our plight. I requested him to send us back home at the earliest. I also asked him to provide government job opportunities to the victims of the violence,” Lembi Devi said, as she finished her daily chores at the camp.

Presently pursuing her graduation in chemistry, Lembi Devi further shared how she had to flee when their grocery shop in Moreh, a border town along the Indo-Myanmar frontier, was set on fire on the night of May 3, 2023. She and her family spent some nights at a local police station before being moved to the Akampat relief camp, which had been set up at the Ideal Girls’ College.

“It’s very difficult to attend college and pursue studies from a relief camp. But the Prime Minister seemed like a good man — he looked just like my grandfather. Though he didn’t give us a specific deadline, he reassured us that he is with us. He told us to be brave and to have patience,” she said.

Modi made his first visit to Manipur since the ethnic violence erupted two years ago. During his trip, he met with displaced communities in Churachandpur and Imphal — among the over 60,000 people forced out of their homes in 2023. In Imphal, several local residents and students broke down during their interaction with him, reflecting the trauma and turbulence they have endured in the last two years.

During his visit, he reaffirmed his government’s commitment to restoring normalcy and rebuilding lives. He said the Centre is tirelessly working to bring life back on track, including the construction of 7,000 new houses for families who have lost their homes.

“The land of Manipur is a land of hope and aspiration. Unfortunately, violence has cast a shadow over this beautiful region. A short while ago, I met with those affected, who are currently living in relief camps. After speaking with them, I can say with confidence that a new dawn of hope and trust is rising in Manipur,” Modi said during his Imphal rally.

Lembi Devi said: “I don’t know when we will be able to return home, but I believe he (Modi) has heard our voices.”