Displacement, bombardment continues; MLA pleads peace
Source: Chronicle News Service

Jiribam, June 13 2024: After shattering the peace that had been maintained for more than a year with great efforts in Jiribam on June 6 following the gruesome murder of a Meetei farmer by Kuki people and in the follow up violent incidents, over 1000 Meetei residents of Jiribam district have been displaced and living at relief camps, and houses of relatives or friends even as bombardment on Meetei areas by Kuki militants continue unabated.

In subsequent violence that followed the brutal murder of Soibam Sarat of Sorok Atingbi on June 6, nearly 100 houses in Lamtai Khunou, Loukoipung, Harinagar and Bhutangkhal under Borobekra sub division, and Leishabithol and Nungkhal under Sonapur GP were burned down by armed Kuki militants.

So far, three relief camps have been set up at Bidyanagar Sports Complex, and one each at Sorok Atingbi High School, Harinagar Children Home, Chingdong Leikai Upper Primary School, wherein around 950 displaced Meetei residents are taking shelter.

Besides them, around 100 more are staying at the houses of their relatives and friends.

Even as the situation remains volatile, Kuki militants unleashed several rounds of bombs towards Jakuradhor Part 2, a Meetei village under Borobekra sub-division on Wednesday around 10.30 pm.

At least a house belonging to one Achom Ajit suffered substantial damage in the bombardment.

However, there is no report of any injury in the incident as residents had already taken shelter at safer locations.

Earlier around 10.30 am, villagers found a bomb wrapped in a plastic bag at the porch of a house.

On discovery of the bomb upon inspection of the bag, local police and 39 Assam Rifles were informed.

Later, the bomb was removed by a bomb disposal squad of Assam Rifles.

Meanwhile, people of Barak Circle have appealed to the government to deploy a bomb disposal squad and a couple of fire tenders in Barak Circle of Jiribam district in the light of escalation of violence in the district.

Visibly worried over the unrest in the border district, Jiribam MLA Ashab Uddin has urged people of different communities settling in Jiribam to restore peace through initiation of dialogues.

Speaking to media persons at his Sonapur residence Thursday, MLA Ashab pointed out that there was relative peace in Jiribam with the formation of a peace committee by leaders of different communities when other parts of Manipur were impacted by the conflict that broke out since May 3 .

The restive situation gripping Jiribam since June 6 is unfortunate, he said, while appealing to people of different communities for restoration of peace like before through dialogues.

Pointing out that the state government has been providing all possible help to the people taking shelter in relief camps, he assured of deploying additional state forces to protect the people residing in Barak circle area.

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