Displaced people in Moreh facing severe hardships
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 10 2023: Even as evacuation of displaced people from relief camps in vulnerable areas is underway, victims of the communal clash in Moreh town, who are taking refuge in the 5 AR camp in Moreh are facing severe hardships.

A person, who is still staying in the relief camp, told The People's Chronicle that around 3000 people from the camp have been shifted to Imphal while around 1000 including elders and children are still at the camp.

There was no evacuation exercise on Wednesday.

The person said, that they are facing acute shortage of food and many have developed health issues.

The DC never visited the camp till date while the district SP visited once to hold video conferencing with chief minister.

The local MLA also failed to visit the camp to enquire about their situation, the person said while urging the authority concerned to evacuate them from the camp at the earliest.

Meanwhile, another Moreh denizen belonging to the Meetei community affirmed that he will never leave behind his land and wants to return there though he does not know when it would be possible.

The individual named Moi -rangthem Somorendro is a resident of Moreh Ward No 6 and his house was among over 60 burned by the mob on May 3 evening.

He is taking refuge in a relief camp at Unity Club, Kongpal Kongkham Leikai, Imphal East.

He said that Meetei population in the border town has always been subjected to victimisation by the dominant Kuki community and they did not see the difference this time until it was too late.

As the mob swelled and more violent, they had to flee their homes to save their lives after their houses went up in smoke.

They spent the night in the police station and then shifted to Assam Rifles camp the next day.

From there, they were evacuated to Imphal on Tuesday, he said.

Expressing shock over the selective attack, he urged the government and CSOs to take up steps for lasting solution while reiterating that even though he had to flee on that night, he wants to return home.

However, he does not know when he will be able to return home and this question is making him sad, Somorenr dro said.

Unity Club convenor Jotin Thokchom said that the club has been providing shelter to displaced victims of the clash since May 4 .

As the government authority was sluggish in evacuating the displaced victims, who were shifted to Pallel, the club members and the locals hired vehicles on their own and rescued many of the displaced victims.

Out of 300 victims evacuated from Moreh on Tuesday, some are staying in Khuman Lampak and some in the club premises, he said.

He also appealed to all concerned to work towards restoring peace and normalcy at the earliest.

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