IDPs stage protest
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 12 2024:
Internally displaced people (IDPs) taking refuge Sajiwa and Sawombung staged sit-in protests at different locations today.
Apunba Awonba Manipur Amagidamak (AMA), Kanglei Women Welfare Association (KWWA) and All Manipur Progressive Students' Association organised the protests at the pre-fabricated house set up near Sajiwa Central Jail and the relief camp at Sawombung.
Placards in Manipuri which roughly translate as "We don't want to live in prefabricated house set up by the Government," "We want to return home", "We want a visionary leader and a Government who can resolve the crisis", "How long should we stay in relief camps" and "We want a compassionate leader" among others.
One Wahengbam Bebe, a resident of Dolaithabi now taking refuge at Sajiwa, said that they have been living as prisoners at the pre-fabricated house provided by the Government.
Saying that the beds being provided to them is not adequate, she added that they have been using the space given to them as both kitchen and bedroom.
She said that many of them often think of committing suicide.
Saying one of the IDPs had committed suicide at the facility, she appealed to the Government to restore normalcy in the State.