KAKA insecure over influx of 358 Myanmar refugees
Source: Chronicle News Service / R Lester Makang

Ukhrul, November 30 2023: K Ashang Khullen Aze (KAKA) is in a state of vulnerability after the recent influx of 358 Myanmar refugees into the last border village located under Kasom Khullen Sub-Division in Kamjong district.

Commonly known for its vibrant 'Trade Centre KAKA', the village is located near the international border pillar No 92 and around 30 km from Kasom Khullen block.

Talking to The People's Chronicle on Thursday, Trade Centre KAKA project director, P Hungyo informed that a total of 358 Myanmar refugees are currently taking shelter in the border village.

"The Myanmar refugees began crossing over the boundary and entered our village on November 28 following the Myanmar Military Junta's bombardment of their villages in the neighbouring country," he said.

According to Hungyo, there's growing apprehension among the locals over the possibility of the Junta suddenly launching cross-border bombardment or attacks targeting the refugees who are sheltered in the border village.

"The safety of both the local villagers and the refugees has grown even more vulnerable as there is no military post or Manipur state police present," he expressed concern.

Hungyo said that KAKA presently is a small trade centre village with around 130 houses and with the presence of so many refugees who fled military crackdown, the security of the village is becoming tenuous with each passing day.

"In view of the prevailing situation in our village, we appeal to the state authorities to take up prompt steps and avert any untoward occurrences", he said requesting the government to initiate biometric capturing of the refugees and set up a designated refugee camp along with adequate deployment of security forces for the safety of all.

He said that the locals do not want the peaceful atmosphere to be disturbed since the village is being proposed to be developed as a Model Town.

The refugees belong to different tribes such as Shan, Karen Vaiphei Naga and Kuki and are from Thanan, Soilibo, Phailen, Phazang, Zang-noum and Myothit townships under Sagairig Division, Myanmar.

He noted that of the 358 refugees, most are women, elderly and children who are without proper warm clothing to protect themselves from the cold weather.

"There is a need for providing them with warm clothes to protect them from the cold weather, apart from food," he said, calling for proper humanitarian interventions from the state authorities at the earliest.

Hungyo mentioned that Kamjong DC Raang Peter and Kasom Khullen ADM/SDO HL Jain recently provided a truckload of relief items for the refugees.

"But the stock did not last long due to the huge number of the refugees and so arranging the needs for them is putting additional burden on the locals," he said.

Meanwhile, it is learnt that a team comprising Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) Working Committee convenor RS Jollyson, Zingtun Longphang chairman Epchan and Zingsho Longphang chairman AS Nathan, visited the border village on Thursday to take stock of the prevailing situation in the Wake of the influx.

KAKA headman K Ashang expressed his gratitude to the team for the timely visit, stating that their concern provided the locals with some sense of safety and relief during such difficult times.

The Trade Centre KAKA falls within K Ashang Khullen Aze (lower) village and two other emerging townships namely, Namlee and Wanglee are only part of the village covered by pillar No.91 and 92 along the international border.

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