Nearly 2000 people take shelter at four relief camps
No help from either Govt or Army received; affected locals to boycott polls
Source: Hueiyen News Service / NNN

Imphal, April 15 2009: The displaced villagers and victims of the Operation Summer Storm and their relatives have decided to boycott the 15th Lok Sabha elections which kick off from tomorrow, April 16, with the Outer Manipur Parliamentary constituency if the current operation carried out in the Loktak Lake in Bishnupur district is not called off.

The Operation Summer Storm carried out by security forces in and around the Loktak Lake and Keibul Lamjao National Park since Friday, April 10, has reportedly affected the nearby settlers displacing them of their homes and surroundings.

Moreover, the victims have also alleged harassment by security forces in the operation too.

Displaced villagers at a relief camp Ithai area

Following this, the victims and their relatives have decided to boycott the upcoming Inner and Outer Manipur Parliamentary elections if the operation was not called off.

Meanwhile, the number of relief camps in the area has gone up to four while the number of relief campers have also gone up to about 2000 till today.

These camps are at Ithai Khunjao, Laphupat Tera Khunou, Arong Khunjao and at Laphupat Tera Khunou Makha and are help and supported by the local clubs and Meira Paibees (Women activist group) .

The campers told mediapersons that no relief in kind or coin was coming forth from either the Army or the district administration till now.

Besides the increasing number of campers, allegations against the security forces also began to grow with the campers asserting that two old men, Salam Nungshibabu (53) and Salam Nimaichand of Khodak Mayai Leikai of Bishnupur district were beaten black and blue by the security forces for not cooperating with them.

Salam Chaobi Devi, wife of Ibohal of Khodak Mayai Leikai informed the press they were being used as human shields by the security forces by taking shelter in their homes and storing weapons.

And lending a helping hand to the relief campers, the Apunba Lup and a joint human rights team inspected the camps and assured help in every way.

The visiting team condemned the operation especially air bombings which was adversely affecting the whole place and called for an end to the operation.

Meanwhile, a Bishnupur district medical team visited the camp at Ithai Khunjao and organized a free medical camp and also distributed medicines.

Moirang SDO and SDC Kumbi also visited the campers and assured of help.