Phougakchao Ikhai villagers junk ATSUM's claim
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, May 11 2023:
Reacting to the state-ment and claims of All Tribal Students' Union of Manipur (ATSUM) with regard to the communal violence in the state, villagers of Phougakchao Ikhai dismissed the union's version as baseless and unfounded.
Addressing media persons at Phougakchao Ikhai on Thursday, Thingbaijam Deban representing the locals of Phougakchao Ikhai said that the Meitei people have nothing to do with the burning of the Anglo-Kuki War memo-rial centenary gate at Laisang on May 3 as it is the stronghold area of the Kukis and no other community would dare to carry out such offensive acts.
He further informed that during the violence a total of 500 houses under Torbung gram panchayat were been burnt down and around 5000 people displaced are presently taking shelter at different relief camps.
In addition to burning the hous-es, the Ibudhou Pakhangba tem-ple at Torbung Bangla and Ima Panthoibi temple at Torbung Govindapur which are the re-ligious sites of the Meitei Hindu were also burnt.
He further appealed to the government and all CSOs con-cerned to intervene and put the violence to an end.