Security forces stop nearly 100 displaced people in Manipur from returning home

Security forces on 16 July, Wednesday, stopped nearly 100 internally displaced people (IDP) in Manipur from returning to their villages in Dolaithabi in Imphal East district, police said.

It was a precautionary measure to prevent any untoward incident, a senior officer said.

The IDPs, who were staying in a relief camp near Sajiwa in Imphal East district, moved towards Doilaithabi to return to their native villages, he said.

"They were stopped near Pukhao Tezpur, around 2.5 km from Dolaithabi, to prevent any untoward incident," the police officer said.

Dolaithabi lies in a "sensitive fringe zone" and had witnessed several attacks from neighbouring hill areas of Kangpokpi district when ethnic violence broke out in May 2023.

Presently, in this very moment within the Saikul sub-district of Kangpokpi district, Manipur, Meitei Militants are orchestrating a synchronized advance towards Kuki villages from three strategic fronts: Wakan, Dolaithabi Dam, and Chingmang.

The notorious Meira Paibis, renowned… pic.twitter.com/WVOHD2nZGl

— Hen Kuki (@HennaryL) December 10, 2023

The police also said that adequate security measures have been put in place, and one company of CRPF women personnel has also been deployed.

The district administration and senior police officers talked with local leaders on the issue.

The situation remains peaceful and is under control, the officer said.

The overall law and order situation is being closely monitored by senior officers to ensure continued stability, he said.

The people who were stopped said they knew their houses had been burnt but just wanted to see the courtyard and lands and stage a sit-in for a few minutes in the vicinity of their native places at Dolaithabi and Ekou.

"We have not seen our homes at Dolaithabi for more than two years. We did not have any permission to enter our own homes; we came here voluntarily. We know our house is not there," Abe Devi told reporters.

Another IDP. Ichan Chanu, said they did not want to trigger any unrest.

"We just sought to see the remains of our homes where we grew up. We just want to highlight the issues of IDPs to the authorities," Chanu said.

More than 260 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in ethnic violence between Meiteis and Kuki-Zo groups since May 2023. Many of the people who had lost their homes are staying in relief camps.

The Centre had on 13 February imposed President’s Rule in Manipur after chief minister N. Biren Singh finally resigned over a year after the strife began.

The state assembly, which has a tenure till 2027, has been put into suspended animation.