IDPs protest stoppage of ration supply
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, February 21 2024: People displaced by the ongoing violence and currently taking shelter in different relief camps set up across Churachandpur district staged protest under the banner 'Empty pot protest' on Wednesday against alleged stoppage of supply of ration by the district administration.

There are around 20,000 internally displaced persons in Churachandpur district taking shelter in 115 relief camps manned by different CSOs.

Due to sudden stoppage of ration supply, inmates of relief camps came out and staged the protest in front of their respective relief camps on Wednesday starting from 9.30 am.

A resident of the Youth Hostel, Churachandpur relief camp, named, Lamvah Touthang told media persons that district administration used to provide food items once a week every Monday that last for one week (till Sunday).

However, the district administration has ceased the same leaving the camp residents on the brink of starvation.

She said that the Central government has been providing them food and other daily essential items but the district administration held up release of the ration this week.

She questioned as to how the district administration could justify non-distribution of food items after same has been delivered to the district administration.

Another resident at the Vimala Raina Government High School relief camp, named, Martha Nengchoihoi said that their houses were torched in the ethnic violence and they have no means of livelihood at all.

She also said that lives of the displaced people staying in relief camps are now threatened as they have been denied food.

Another inmate Lhingboinieng appealed to the government to provide ration in time as they do not have any other means to earn livelihood as of now.

Mention may be made that a mob stormed into a government complex housing the offices of the superintendent of police and the deputy commissioner and torched office of the DC of Churachandpur district on February 15, consequently resulting in two deaths and 30 injuries in firing by security forces to control the mob.

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