MLA Ranjit appeals IDPs to return homes
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, April 28 2025: Sugnu MLA K Ranjit has appealed all people of Serou- Sugnu area displaced due to the violence since May, 2023 to return to their respective homes if one hears the echo 'Eyumna Koure' .

The MLA made the appeal at the opening ceremony of a 9-A-side state level football tournament held under the theme 'Eyumna Koure' at Sugnu public ground Monday.

The opening ceremony of the tournament organised by Sugnu and Serou Sports Development Committee (SSSDC) was attended by CLP leader Okram Ibobi Singh as chief guest, K Ranjit as president and Khundrakpam MLA Th Lokeswar as guest of honour.

Addressing the gathering, K Ranjit said the violence between Kuki and Meetei communities erupted on May 3, 2023 spread very fast and all vulnerable areas were affected.

MLA Ranjit appeals IDPs to return homes

However, Sugnu-Serou area remained peaceful for 24 days due to constitution of a peace committee comprising representatives of hills and valley.

The peace committee formed on May 4, 2023 at the Sugnu SDPO office complex even resolved to jointly defend and prevent violence in the area.

However, the violence spread to Sugnu-Serou area after Kuki militants under SoO attacked Napat and Serou in the wee hours of May 28, 2023 .

Before the spread of violence, the peace committee was apprehensive of averting the violence for a long time and accordingly approached the then chief minister for deployment of at least four companies of security forces for protection.

However, no security deployment was made and the area remained almost deserted after the violence spread, Ranjit said.

According to the MLA, it is imperative for the present generation to protect their land left by forefathers and accordingly development committee of Sugnu and Serou made enormous efforts for the return of those who fled Sugnu-Serou area during the violence.

"Committee's efforts under my initiative have paid off now as some families have returned to their homes and started construction of new houses," Ranjit said.

While stating that state home department and the DC concerned are being consulted for construction of the remaining ruined houses, K Ranjit appealed to all the people of Serou-Sugnu area displaced due to the violence since May, 2023 and currently staying in relief camps to return to their houses if they the hear the echo 'Eyumna Koure'.

He also said that classes at Sungu higher secondary school have resumed after BSF personnel vacated the campus while private schools of the area too are conducting normal classes.

The Sugnu MLA also assured to shoulder all the responsibilities of education expenses including admission fees for students, registration of class X and XII students.

As chief guest at the event, former chief minister and CLP leader O Ibobi Singh lauded efforts of K Ranjit and described the Sugnu MLA as a genuine public leader.

It is very important for Manipur to have a true public leader like K Ranjit, he added.

In his speech at the event, MLA Lokeswar said Sugnu-and Khundrakpam assembly constituencies are the worst affected constituencies in the ongoing violence.

However, both the constituencies were neglected by the government that existed before the imposition of President's Rule in the state.