Moreh remains tense, exodus begins
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, February 06 2024: After enduring nine months of crisis situation and uncertainty further aggravated by the recent shutdown notice issued by Kuki bodies, residents of Moreh have started to trickle out of the border town gradually.

Information received from people of different communities, who have been settling in the border town even after outbreak of violence on May 3 last year, said that many have already fled the town but there are more still staying back hoping normalcy will return.

Earlier, they managed to live their lives and earn livelihood but the situation has turned worst recently.

After the assassination of Moreh SDPO Ch Anandkumar on October 31 last year by Kuki militants, state security forces intensified their operation to nab the perpetrators.

The Kuki militants did not back down and they also stepped up attacks on state force leading to fierce gun fights intermittently.

Consequently, the government imposed curfew to control the situation bringing grinding halt to all trade activities.

Recently, some Kuki bodies served a shutdown notice to all shop owners while cautioning them against supplying goods and water to state forces, which has only worsened their situation.

Besides, the Indo-Myanmar gate has been remaining closed due to the conflict situation on both sides of the international border.

Left with no means for survival, all Bihari residents of the town have already left.

People of other communities have also started leaving the border town gradually in the last 10 to 20 days on the pretext of getting medical treatment and other reasons.

As of now, they have not faced any threat as state security forces are providing protection.

However, they are not sure about their fate with the rising activities of Kuki militants in the town, the worried Moreh residents said while drawing attention of the government for taking up necessary steps to protect the border town.

Meanwhile, curfew was relaxed in Moreh from 6 to 10 am on Tuesday.

Residents went up to super market to buy vegetables as the community variety market had been burned down by Kuki militants.

Roads and streets remain empty during curfew hours with security forces taking up every measure to fully enforce the curfew.

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