"Have lost trust in the Army": Committee
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 06 2024: The locals of Leimakhong area no longer trust the Army to protect their houses and properties, said the Committee on Leimakhong Area Affected Meetei Victims today.

While Meiteis have not been allowed to enter their own villages in the name of maintaining normalcy, the 57 Mountain Division Army at Leimakhong have failed to act against Kuki militants who are "looting" and "burning" Meitei houses "day by day," said the committee in a statement.

It said the GOC of the 57 Mountain Division Army had held talks with the committee members several times, and the committee was given assurance that they (Army) would protect the land and properties of the Meiteis in Leimakhong area.

"Have lost trust in the Army": Committee

"While the Army isn't allowing the Meiteis to enter their own villages and safeguard their properties, armed Kuki militants have been allowed to roam freely in areas under Leimakhong.

The Kuki militants have looted and burnt down houses day after day.

"There are multiple bunkers built by Kuki militants behind Kounu Temple at Leimakhong Chingmang.

The Army, however, has not done anything to remove these bunkers," said the committee.

The locals of Leimakhong have lost trust in the Army.

They have failed to control the Kuki militants.

They are not protecting the houses and properties of the Meiteis in the Leimakhong area, said the committee.

It urged the State Government to intervene and allow the displaced people to return and resettle at their original villages at Leimakhong.

Meanwhile, a Kuki militants' drone hovering over a funeral of a Meitei man at Kanto Sabal caused panic among the people for some time today.

The funeral was for Thengujam Tomba Singh, who died of an illness at Mandap Yumpham Relief Camp.

Thengujam Tomba Singh and his family members were displaced from Leimakhong Chingmang due to Kuki militants' attack last year.

His funeral was held at Kanto Sabal as the displaced Meiteis of Leimakhong have not yet been allowed to return to their villages.

Thengujam Tomba Singh was reportedly suffering from trauma after Kuki militants attacked his village.

Including Tomba, so far, four people from Leimakhong areas have died at Mandap Yumpham Relief Camp.

All of them were suffering from trauma caused by Kuki militants' attacks on their villages, said the locals and family members.

The drone over Kanto Sabal must mean that the Kuki militants' are watching every movement of the Meitei locals.

The incident today has caused fear psychosis among the people, said the locals, urging the Government and especially, the security forces stationed at Leimakhong to take appropriate actions against Kuki militants.