Kukis occupy abandoned Meetei houses in Ekou
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, September 05 2023: Kukis have not only laid siege on around 2,000 'Paris' of paddyland belonging to the Meeteis of Ekou, Sadu Yengkhoman, Leitanpokpi and Doilaithabi villages of Imphal East district but also occupied abandoned Meetei houses at Ekou.

Apart from this, several localities of the four Meetei villages have also been renamed with Kuki nomenclature, stated Apex Committee of Victim Villages convener Koijam Sarat.

Addressing media persons at Babupara Tuesday, Sarat said the ethnic clash has completed four months but both the central and state forces are yet to be deploy at abandoned Meetei houses and villages.

While the Meeteis are barred from entering their houses and villages, it is quite disheartening that Kukis have occupied abandoned Meetei houses and even named them as Kuki villages.

In view of the emerging situation, Kukis would soon claim villages falling under Imphal East district as Kangpokpi district, he said.

Houses abandoned by Kukis in Imphal are being protected by large numbers of central paramilitary forces throughout the day and night and Meeteis never tried to enter or occupy Kuki houses.

However, both the Central and state governments are remaining silent when Kukis act independently and occupy abandoned Meetei houses in the peripheral valley areas, he said and strongly condemned indifferent attitude of the government.

He also said that villagers are now prepared to enter their abandoned houses and villages in view of the emerging situation.

Apex Committee co-cordinator and resident of Ekou bazar Longjam Basanta, who also attended the press conference, said villagers who abandoned their respective homes on May 3 at least to save their lives without any belongings are still unable to enter their homes till date.

He also said that there is no sign of deployment of security forces or entry of national media in the four villages.

According to Basanta, villagers have repeatedly urged state government, security advisor, chief secretary and deputy commissioner concerned to deploy security forces so that villagers could carry out agricultural activities.

As government remains adamant to demands of the displaced villagers, Kukis have now taken large tract of paddy field and took up agricultural activities, he said.

Basanta also said that some leaders of the apex committee along with Khundrakpam MLA Th Lokeswar met Governor Anusuiya Uikey on Monday and the latter assured to construct permanent houses instead of pre-fabricated houses for displaced people of the four villagers.

He then urged authority concerned to translate into action the assurance given by the Governor at the earliest.

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