Imphal, April 01 2009: All Manipur Anti Drugs Association (AMADA) in collaboration with Zeliangrong Students' Union, Manipur (ZSUM) has distributed relief materials to a large number of Zemei people who fled North Cachar Hills in the wake of a communal strife between the Dimasas and the Zemei tribe there and are presently taking refuge at Tousem sub division in Tamenglong district.

The relief materials were distributed at the relief camps at Tousem village Primary Health Centre and Cluster Resource Centre at Mandu village yesterday.

The Zemei tribal refugees are taking shelter at Tousem, Mandu, Faklong, Degei, Pudum and Zukak villages.

There are 167 refugees at Mandu village, 152 at Tousem village, 100 at Faklong village, 85 at Zukak village, 43 at Pudum village and 38 at Degei village.

Totally 577 Zemei tribals including women and children are taking refuge at the relief camps.

The relief materials distributed to the refugees through the office bearers of the relief committees included mosquito nets, blankets, tooth brushes, soaps, candle packets, tooth paste tubes, match boxes, rice and salt.

Speaking at the simple function of distribution of the relief materials, Secretary General of AMADA, Phoni emphasised the need to help each other among the brethren of the same blood in times of trouble.

He regretted that the rulers of the Manipur talked about love and harmony between the hills and the plains people but did not translate their words into action.

State Secretary of ZSUM, Gajabung Gangmei said that the Zeliangrong brethren of North Cachar Hills in Assam were forced to flee as an UG faction of the Dimasas began to let loose a reign of terror against the Zeliangrong people.

He also expressed unhappiness on seeing little babies among the refugees who are feeling the brunt of the crisis.

A free medical camp was also held for the refugees on the occasion.