IDPs make another attempt to go home

Our Correspondent
MOIRANG, Nov 22: Strongly opposing the hosting of the Sangai Festival amid widespread public resentment, a group of internally displaced persons (IPDs) attempted to march towards their abandoned villages today.
A similar attempt was made by IDPs last night but they were stopped by security forces.
The march, which began from Gate no 2 of Kwakta Sericulture Training Institute, was halted by security forces at Kwakta bridge.
Following discussions with a senior police officer, the protesters were permitted to proceed up to Phougakchao Ikhai, after which they returned.
Prior to the march, a crucial meeting of IDPs was held at the relief camp set up at Kwakta Sericulture Training Institute.
Speaking to the media, Naba Ningthoujam, co-convenor of the Churachandpur Meitei Victims Committee, stated that the IDPs must immediately be allowed to return safely to their homes and villages if the Government believes there is normalcy in Manipur.
He asserted that the Government must immediately cancel the Sangai Festival if it is unable to facilitate their safe return to their native villages. Holding the Sangai Festival while thousands remain displaced is both insensitive and unjustifiable, he said. Naba warned that they will launch intense and sustained agitation starting tomorrow if the Government continues to prevent them from returning to their homes.
The IDPs had, on multiple occasions, urged the President’s Rule administration not to hold the Sangai Festival this year, he said.
Questioning the Government’s stance, he asked why are thousands of displaced people still not being allowed to return to their homes if the situation is peaceful enough to host a grand festival.