Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, May 02 2009:
At least three houses of the Zeme villagers at Baureneu village in North-Cachar hill district have been burnt down by militants of DHD (J) outfit yesterday morning at around 7 am, a delayed report said Saturday.
According to the report received here, a group of Dimasa outfits intruded into the village yesterday morning and after turning out the villagers, burnt down the houses.
No casualty reported to the villagers.
The houses were guarded by only few elders of the villager after women and children have been evacuated and taking asylums at various villages in Tousem sub-division of Tmenglong district since DHD (J) started attacking various villages in North Cachar hills of Assam bordering with Manipur inhabitant by the Zemes.
Over 600 Zemei sub-tribe of the Zeliangrong community have moved out of North Cachar Hills in Assam since mid-March following threats from the Dima Halam Daogah militant outfit.
These people are taking shelter in the adjoining Tousem, a sub-division in Tamenglong district of Manipur, located around 260 kilometres away from Imphal.
A majority of those who fled their homes are children under 12 years of age and women.
There is a constant increase in the number of villages arriving in camps opened by the voluntary organizations in the sub-division.
Relief materials were also provided by many voluntary organizations from Imphal.
Among others, Indian Red Cross Society, All Manipur Anti-Drug Association (AMADA) and United People Front (UPF) etc.
had recently visited the refuges with team of medical practitioners and provided relief materials and medicines to the needy villagers.
The displaced villagers belong to the Zemei sub-tribe of the
Zeliangrong community.
Other than the NC Hills and the Karbi Anglong districts of Assam, the Zeliangrong tribals are scattered across Nagaland and Manipur.
According to the villagers, Dimasa militants are targeting eight villages near Haflong - the headquarters of the NC Hills district.
The affected villagers have fled to the safety of Mandeu, Njunkuak, Zenning villages besides Tousem in Manipur.