605 houses, 11 shops burned; 2500 displaced in imphal East district
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, June 19 2023:
Tragedy struck the town of Churachandpur district on May 3, shattering the lives of its residents after a tribal solidarity march organised by ATSUM turned violent.
What was meant to be a show of unity turned took the worst turn as violence engulfed the state leading to the loss of precious lives, injuries to many, and displacement of over 50,000 people.
Though the violence is mainly in the foothill areas, especially in areas of Meeteis and Kukis settlements, Imphal East district is among the worst affected.
According to official records of the Imphal East district administration, a staggering 605 houses, which were once cherished abodes, now lie in ruins.
Among them, 394 homes belong to the Meetei community and 211 to the Kuki community apart from 11 shops reduced to ashes.
Behind each burnt house and shattered shop-front lies a story of shattered dreams, lost memories, and an uncertain future.
Over 2,500 individuals have been forced from their homes, seeking refuge in unfamiliar places, uprooted from their familiar surroundings.
The trauma of displacement weighs heav ily on their hearts, as they grapple with the emotional toll of leaving behind their communities, livelihoods, and the sense of security they once cherished.
According to the report, 139 houses at Ikou, 53 at Sadu Yengkhuman, 30 at Dolaithabi, 20 at Leitanpok-pi, 12 at Sadu Lampak, 61 at Gwaltabi, four at Sanasabi and one at Santikhongban villages under Sawombung sub-division of Imphal East district, which belong to Meetei community have been burned.
At the same time, 11 houses at Heikon, 18 Nongmeipal and 25 at Terakhong villages which belong to Kuki community under the same sub-division have also been torched.
In Keirao Bitra sub-di-vision, 14 houses at Itham, one at Nongbrang, one at Nongpok Keithelmanbi and 58 at Laikhong villages settled by the Meetei community have been destroyed.
Under Porompat sub-divi-sion, 44 houses at Haokip Veng near Mongbahanba Laifamlen, 16 at Nongpok Ingkhol Pureiromba Leikai, and 10 at Nongpok Ingkhol Awang Leikai, belonging to Kuki community have been damaged.
In the same sub-division, 64 houses at Khongsai Veng, 13 at Vaiphei Veng, two at Achanbigei, and eight houses & 11 shops at Achanbigei, that belong to Kuki community have been targeted.
Meanwhile, inputs from different relief centres suggest that the number of houses burned in the district could be close to 700 .