Torbung folks lament failure of Govt
Source: The Sangai Express
Moirang, July 18 2023:
Fuming over the lack of commitment by the Government to stop the violence, locals of Torbung in Bishnupur have said that lately their lives have been made more harrowing by the combing operation launched by Central and State security forces in day time and late night attacks by armed Kukis.
Speaking to media persons at Phougakchao Ikhai Mamang, a member of Apunba Meira Paibi Lup of Torbung Gram Panchayat Takhellambam Kegesana said that the Government hasn't done anything to alleviate the suffering of Torbung people whose houses and properties have been flattened and torched by Kuki miscreants since May 3 .
She claimed that the Central security forces have placed a restriction on Meetei people from visiting Torbung but the Kukis who are not even the owner of the place have been doing whatever they fancy in the village.
Saying that Central and State forces carried out a combing operation at Phougakchao Ikhai Mamang Leikai yesterday and it was followed by a gun attack from Kuki militants during the night-time, Kegesana continued that some houses have also been torched at Torbung recently.
Claiming that Churachandpur SP didn't issue any instruction to carry out a combing operation in adjacent Kuki villages on Churachandpur side, she expressed desire for the State police and Central security forces to carry out its operations, be it bunker destruction drive or combing operation in both Meitei and Kuki villages equally.
She went on to claim that Central forces didn't stop Kuki miscreants from looting valuables from Meitei villages.
Asking how long the Government can keep the displaced people at relief camps, Kegesana urged the Government to expedite the rehabilitation and resettlement works so that they could resume their normal activities and farm works.
"How can we provide for our families if we cannot return to our villages," she further asked and added that they will go to their villages on their own and face the Kuki militants even at the cost of their lives if the Government is not going to do anything.
What is the point of deploying all these Central security forces if peace and normalcy remain a distant dream, the displaced woman said and urged the Government to withdraw all Central security forces from their areas and deploy State forces instead.
Meanwhile, Prof Dr Kh Romesh Singh and Prof Bimol Akoijam of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) visited Torbung Bazar Mamang Lekai where Kuki militants torched some houses yesterday and provided some assistance to the victims.
Dr Kh Romesh said that the inaction of BSF and CRPF to prevent the arson and attack by Kuki militants in the area clearly indicates that the Government of India has a discreet agenda on Manipur violence.