Displaced Jiribam denizen finds home reduced to ashes
Source: Chronicle News Service

Jiribam, June 27 2024: It was on Wednesday morning that 45-year-old Louriyam Tomba, son of late Babasana set out from the Bidyanagar Sports Complex relief camp, filled with uncertainty.

A year ago in May first week, the Kuki-Meetei conflict had driven him away from his home in Ba-bukhal village, fearing proximity of a Kuki village next to his own.

On Wednesday, he decided to return to his village to check his properties, despite an air of insecurity lingering.

For over a year, Jiribam maintained fragile peace through negotiation and formation of a peace committee despite some sporadic incidents of random firing by Kuki militants every now and then.

However, this tranquillity was shattered on June 6, when a Meetei farmer was brutally killed by Kuki militants, and his mutilated body found in the evening.

This incident turned the district into the latest epicentre of the conflict, leading to destruction of properties, places of worship, and the displacement of nearly 2,000 residents, predominantly Meetei.

Every day since then, houses of the Meetei have been attacked and burned with explosive materials, resulting in loss of houses in five villages, two police check posts, one each forest beat office, and guesthouse so far.

Tomba's home is located in Ba-bukhal village, Jiribam district, next to Tatbung Kuki village in Tamenglong district, about 7 km from Jiri town.

With uneasiness in his mind, he reached his home, only to find it and his shop reduced to ashes.

The sight was devastating.

After returning to the relief camp, he spoke with the media, sharing his grief and frustration.

He and his family, along with other village residents, have been living in the relief camp for over a year as there is no proper security arrangements to protect their villages from the attacks of Kuki militants.

Tomba believes his home and shop were burned the day before his visit.

The village, once home to several Meetei families, now stands abandoned, with no security measures in place to protect the remaining properties.

Tomba s charred home is evidence of this neglect.

Despite his fears, Tomba expressed a strong desire to return and rebuild his life, and urged the government to provide adequate security arrangements and compensation to rebuild his home.

Arson attacks by Kuki militants in Meetei villages far from Jiri town continue unabated, with no intervention from state or Central forces.

The displaced people in relief camps feel abandoned by the government, which has failed to protect their properties and ensure their safety.

Meanwhile, suspected Hmar miscreants burnt a farm house for plantation of pineapple, grape, areca nuts and banana in Jatrapur Part-3 of Borobekra sub-division around 3.30 am Thursday.

The farm house belonged to one Shamurailatpam Shitaljit Sharma (35) of Sorok Atingbi Khunou, Jiribam.

According to the owner, the incident came to light after the Bengali residents nearby informed them of the same.

The arson remained unknown for a long time as no Meetei houses were present in the area.

After they were informed by the Bengali residents, some people went to the area and found the farm house gutted.

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