Displaced Manipur Sadar Hills Villagers Returning Home

By Sobhapati Samom
 
Imphal, Mar 2 : The displaced Sadar Hills villagers under Senapati district who have been taking shelter at the Koujenleima community hall, Sekmai in Manipur’s Imphal West district, since February 23 following an alleged threat from Kuki National Front (P), a militant outfit which is presently engaging Suspension of Operation(SoO)with the government, have started returning to their respective villages.

Normalcy returned in the said villages after an assurance from the group besides having an understanding between the villagers and the SoO signatory in presence of civil society organisations ,sources reaching here said.

A large police team led jointly by officer in charges of Sekmai PS and Sapermeina PS escorted the villagers to their respective places.

The villagers agreed to return home after KNF (P) assured them that no quit notice have been served and necessary action would be taken up if any of its cadres were found to have issued such quit notice.

Earlier KNF(P) general secretary Aaron Kipgen had clarified that no ultimatum was served to leave their place of residence as reported in the media but exercised the right to drive away non-SoO armed groups operating in the area.

Meanwhile, Sekmai Nagar Panchayat, Women Society, Sekmai and Sekmai Youth Development Club, which have been looking after the need of the panic fleeing villagers, have conveyed their gratitude to the Government, the police and other civil organisations that have taken major role towards ensuring resolution of the issue amicably and allowing the villagers to return to their respective Motbung, Saparmeina and Kangpkopi villages.

Many civil society organisations including the United Committee Manipur and Kuki Inpi Manipur have been urging the government to break the impasse so that the villagers can return to their homesteads without any fear.