Security personnel turn a blind eye to Kuki militants' broad daylight loot : Villagers
Source: The Sangai Express

Moirang, May 21 2023: Weeks after Kukis backed by their militants ravaged Meitei settlements in areas adjoining Bishnupur and Churachandpur districts, they are looting the valuable remnants right under the nose of security personnel, charged villagers of affected villages.

Notably, Meitei residences in Waikhurok, Torbung Bangla, Kangvai etc were vandalised, torched down by mobs belonging to Kuki community since May 3 afternoon after a solidarity march turned violent.

Speaking to this correspondent, an inmate at Moirang Yumkhaibam Leikai Relief Camp who is originally a resident of Torbung, said valuable properties, granaries which were untouched after the sudden attacks are openly looted by Kuki miscreants right under the watchful eyes of security personnel being deployed to restore order in the villages.

He continued that they have been at relief camps in Moirang for 19 days but they are being stopped from returning to their houses at Torbung Bangla, Phougakchao Ikhai etc by authorities citing security reasons.

On the pretext of providing them security, whatever properties and valuables including rice, domestic animals, jewellery they had left while fleeing during the communal attacks are being looted in front of them with security personnel doing nothing to prevent them (looters) while they are denied from returning to collect things, he said.

The inmate also questioned whether the security personnel are deployed for their safety or to help Kukis ransack their properties, he said while urging authorities concerned to let them return to their respective residences and start resettlement.

Even after 19 days have passed, the State Government has not attended to them and enquired their needs at the relief camps, he said while questioning how long will they continue in the same situation.

"Government's apathy indicates we are unworthy of living.

The generous people of Moirang are providing but how long will they continue to look after us," he said while seeking the attention of the State Government to ensure adequate and reasonable security and help them in resettlement at their own villages.

Comment