Displaced women recall hospitality of Nagas after being forced to flee
'Annual house tax' of Rs 1000-3000 levied on Meities at Kpi
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, October 16 2023: Tears rolled down and I cried when our Naga brothers and sisters packed us food for our journey when we fled Kangpokpi, said Jenny Leima (name changed), who is now seeking shelter at a relief camp at Lamboikhongnangkhong.

On May 3, Meiteis in Kangpokpi fled for their lives and sought shelter at Daili village.

Around 70 Meiteis stayed the night at Naga houses in the village.

"The Nagas got the closed shops at Kangpokpi opened and brought food and eatables.

They gave us food and water," Naobi said.

The next day they came to L Songlen village and heard that their houses had been burnt by the Kukis.

Displaced women recall hospitality of Nagas after being forced to flee

"When we were about to leave, our Naga brothers and sisters prepared us food for our journey.

Tears rolled down and I cried when they gave us food wrapped in leaves for our journey," Jenny said.

Jenny recalled that when they were taking shelter with the Nagas, police were informed but they refused to help saying there were too many of them and they couldn't provide security to all of them.

The Meitei residents of Kangpokpi and Kalapahar were evacuated to Sekmai by the Assam Rifles on May 5 .

After spending weeks at a relief camp at Sekmai, they were shifted to the relief centre at Lamboikhongnangkhong on June 19 .

"We want peace to return for us to go to our homes in Kangpokpi," said Jenny.

She said Kangpokpi town had more than 25 Meitei households scattered around the town.

Shops owned by non-Kuki-Zos are taxed heavily by the Kukis in Kangpokpi.

Each shop pays around Rs 40,000 a year, she said.

A Meitei or a Nepali house tax of Rs 1,000 to Rs 3,000 annually.

Illegal taxes are also collected from vehicles plying the Highway.

This is open information, she added.

She claimed that miscreants would pelt stones at Meitei houses often at night.

Another woman from Uyung Lawai (Motbung) said the Meiteis of her locality and other neighbouring areas fled to Sekmai on May 3 .

Subsequently they were brought to Lamboikhongnangkhong relief centre on June 19 .

She claimed that the name Motbung was given by the Kukis only recently.

"The place was originally named Uyung Lawai by our forefathers.

The place had many Uyung trees and hence was named after the tree as Uyung Lawai," she said.

Years ago, there was only one Khongsai (Kuki) village opposite Uyung Lawai on the other side of the river.

Their numbers grew exponential after the Kuki-Naga clash, she said.

During Meiteis' festivals, the people approached the Kuki village chiefs for assistance and members of both communities celebrated every festival.

Likewise, the Meiteis also assisted the Kukis and other communities in celebrating their festivals in Kangpokpi.

There was communal harmony in Kangpokpi before May 3, she said.

"When the violence erupted on May 3, Kukis close to us told us they couldn't do much and advised us to flee for our lives.

We want to return to our homes in Uyung Lawai and settle there like before in peace," she said.

Few other women from Kangpokpi claimed that the Meiteis in the district were not given the same benefits in almost all fronts like the Kukis.

They claimed Meiteis had to pay a little more than others when procuring PDS rice.

While the Kukis pay Rs 3 for rice, Meiteis pay Rs 6 .

The Meiteis also faced problems others do not face when booking cooking gas refills, they claimed.

Meanwhile, the women said they will never forget the Nagas in Kangpokpi for providing them food and security when they were fleeing.

At the Lamboikhong-nangkhong relief camp, the displaced people have been given job cards.

Inmates are being given skill training on candle making, incense making, pickle making etc.

Women are also earning by doing chores at houses.

They earn Rs 5,000 to Rs 8,000 a month.

Some are also selling vegetables.

Students have been enrolled at nearby schools and colleges.