Give us the right to go back home: IDPs
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal/Moirang, December 06 2024: Filled with extreme emotion over taking refuge in their own State for a prolonged period, internally displaced people (IDPs) taking refuge at Kakching Khunou have decided to return to their places by putting their lives at risk.

"The Government should take all responsibility but we will return home," said the IDPs.

Notably, Meeteis from Serou, Napat and Tangjeng Ahallup have been taking refuge at KBM English School at Kakching Khunou after they were chased and kicked out from their places by Kuki miscreants who started the violence in Manipur on the pretext of protesting against the demand to enlist Meeteis in the ST list.

These IDPs staged a sit-in protest in front of the relief camp where they have been taking refuge for over 19 months with the demand that they be allowed to return home.

"Even the mattresses which were provided to us have lost their thickness", said the protesters as they referred to how long they have been staying away from home.

The protesters also said that they don't want to spend the rest of their lives relying only on the ration being provided by the Government.

"How long should we stay at relief camps," the IDPs asked and added that it would be better for them to fast unto death if the Government is not ready to even let them stay at their homes.

Placards that read "Stop the proxy war", "We no longer want to stay at relief camps" and "Allow the lDPs to return homes" among others were held during the protest.

Meanwhile, people in Bishnupur said that they are peeved with how the Government has been responding to the grave crisis in Manipur.

Kukis have been attacking and killing people whenever they want, said Meeteis in Bishnupur who live in areas close to Kuki villages.

Visibly dejected, these villagers said they heard gunshot sound coming from the hill ranges near Phugakchao Ikhai and on the western side of Tronglaobi last night at around 8.40 .

They further said that they heard several gunshot sounds till past 10 pm.

Speaking to the media persons, the villagers said that the gunshot sound was coming from Meetei villages viz Tongbram Kollup, Terakhongsangbi-Tronglaobi, Phouljang, Molphei, Maulngat which the Meeteis, unfortunately, can no longer enter.

Saying that they enquired the security forces about the firing, the villagers added that they were told the sound was of Kukis giving gun salute to Kuki militants who were gunned down by CRPF on November 11.Asking why the Government and the security forces are allowing the Kidds to give gun salutes at night despite the hostile situation in the area, he said that some of the bullets which the Kukis fired last night may have reached the Meetei villages.

The villagers then urged the Government to not give a free hand to the Kukis and rein them in so as to prevent more bloodshed in the days to come.

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