Stopping Summer Storm: Villagers reluctant to trek to Loktak lake
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 21 2009: Even as troops involved in Operation Summer Storm have been pulled out, villagers are still reluctant to venture into Loktak lake suspecting there might be several unexploded mortar shells and bombs fired by the troops in the course of the just concluded military operation.

In the course of the meticulous military operation conducted after cordoning off Keibul Lamjao National Park, the army claimed to have eliminated 12 PREPAK cadres but only 10 bodies were recovered till date.

Villagers returning to their homesteads after Operation Summer Storm

Not only villagers but Forest Department officials and staff were not allowed to enter into Keibul Lamjao National Park during the operation which was called off yesterday.

With the troops pulled out, villagers of Khordak and Nongmaikhong who have been taking shelter at relief camps have returned to their homes.

Yet, none of the villagers dare venture into the lake fearing that there might be unexploded mortar shells/bombs at farther areas of the lake.

On the other hand, Forest Department officials made inspections in two different portions of the Keibul Lamjao today but no sign of casualty to Sangai could be observed.

However some parts of skeletal remains of a wild animal were discovered by the villagers in the southern side of Ungamen Pat within the National Park.

The skeletal remains have been handed over to the staff of Khordak Forest Check Post to identify the animal.

Staff of the Forest Check Post located at Keibul Sagram also made an inspection around Pabot Ching where Sangais were usually sighted.

Their counterparts of Keibul Chingmei Forest Range Office visited Ngakhapat.

In all these areas, no Sangai was found hurt or killed, informed a source.

As per the latest wildlife census reports, there are 180 Sangais in Keibul Lamjao National Park in addition to some other wildlife species.

However, one Basanta, a social worker from Keibul Sagram, expressed strong suspicion that there some Sangais might have been killed or injured due to the numerous rounds mortars/bombs fired into the park.

Meanwhile, there have been reports of missing articles and money on the return of fled away villagers.

Rs 10,000 kept in the locked vault of one Salam Mangiyaima of Khordak Awang Leikai was found missing as the family came back home.

Speaking to media persons who visited the village today, Mangiyaima said that they fled away from the operation to Imphal skipping even Cheiraoba festival.

On checking this afternoon, lock of the vault was found broken and money missing.

GI roof in the rear of the house was also found removed.

Moreover, dead fishes floating in some fish farms were also observed.

There were also reports of missing fishing nets.

Saying that there was no case of any assault or harassment by army personnel, Khordak villagers said that they fled away from their homes as they felt insecure because of the incessant mortar shelling and firing.

Even as the villagers have returned to their homes, they were still wary of venturing into Loktak lake which has been their traditional means of livelihood.

Acting on the wish and complaints of the villagers, Bishnupur District Police searched for any left over or unexploded bombs and other explosives in Khordak and Nongmaikhong.

But no explosives were found, conveyed a source.