Meetei localities renamed as Kuki villages in govt documents
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, August 18 2023:
Startling revelations have emerged amidst the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the state, pointing towards possible cyber-security expertise or internal involvement of government officials.
A distressing situation has unfolded as various Meetei localities in the border town of Moreh have been found renamed as Kuki names in government-issued documents, specifically ration cards under the National Food Security Act (NFSA) and health insurance cards under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY).
These cards were intended for Meetei residents of Moreh who are currently seeking refuge in different relief camps.
This disconcerting incident follows a recent occurrence where flight tickets from the Air Ticketing Counter (ATC) of Air India at Imphal International Airport displayed the address of the Air India ATC as "Lamka" instead of "Imphal".
While the issue was rectified upon its identification, Air India refrained from releasing an official statement clarifying the cause behind the error.
The concerning matter regarding the Meetei localities in Moreh came to light during the distribution of ration cards and PMJAY cards to displaced individuals from Moreh, including those sheltered at various relief camps, such as the one established at Kodompokpi Sports Complex, Wangjing in Thoubal district.
Thangjam Ibungo, the vice-president of Meetei Council Moreh, while addressing media and shedding light on the situation, highlighted that historically significant Meetei localities like Heinou Makhong (Moreh Ward No 7), Turel Wangma Leikai (Moreh Ward No 6), Tali Road (Moreh Ward No 6), Moreh Bazar (Moreh Ward No 6), Khunnou Leikai (Moreh Ward No 9), Dharmasala Leikai (Moreh Ward No 8), Premnagar Leikai (Moreh Ward No 4), and Loubuk Leikai (Moreh Ward No 5) have existed in the border town since the 1940s.Strikingly, displaced Meetei individuals from various localities in Moreh were taken aback when they received their ration cards and PMJAY health insurance cards, revealing their addresses had been altered to Chikim Veng, Phaicham Veng, Molhoi Veng, Ngamkhai Veng, and Moreh ST, among others.
Expressing serious concern over this unauthorised renaming of Meetei localities in official government documents, Ibungo called upon the relevant government authorities to thoroughly investigate the matter and promptly take necessary actions.
Likewise, additional cases were identified where Meetei localities like Turel Wangma and Heinou Makhong were transformed into Chikim, Khunnou Leikai was altered to T Yangnom, and Bazar Leikai was replaced with D Monaphai in the PMJAY cards issued to displaced individuals presently sheltered at Ideal Girls' College, Akampat.
The situation has raised significant alarm and calls for immediate attention to address the concerns of affected communities.