At least four hurt as cops stop IDPs' home march

By Our Staff Reporter 
IMPHAL, Nov 24: A protest march by internally displaced persons (IDPs) staying at Sajiwa and Sawombung relief camps in Imphal East turned violent today when hundreds of residents of Ekou, Dolaithabi, and Sadu Yengkhuman areas attempted to return to their villages amid heavy security deployment.
The rally began from Pukhao Terapur Community Hall and was initially escorted by security personnel up to Dolaithabi Dam. The situation turned volatile when the protesters were stopped by barricades put up on the road after some distance away near Sadu Yengkhuman area. The protesters dismantled the barbed-wire barricades and marched toward their villages, which have remained inaccessible due to the ongoing crisis.
Security forces fired multiple rounds of tear gas shells and blank live rounds to stop the IDPs. The agitated IDPs responded by pelting stones, damaging  a Mahindra Bolero of BSF. A fierce confrontation ensued, lasting several hours.
Four IDPs sustained injuries during the clashes. Two of them were briefly detained by security personnel before being released.
All four are receiving treatment at Sagolmang Community Health Centre (CHC). It is reported that the security forces also fired tear-gas shells at the CHC, causing panic among patients and staff.
The injured have been identified as Khoirom Rebita (22), d/o Ashakumar of Ekou; Haobam Shantibala (54), w/o Tomba of Pukhao Ahallup; Nongthongbam Thoi, s/o Nanao of Ekou and Ch Edison (24), s/o (L) Oken of Ekou  
Protesters questioned why the State Government was prioritising the Sangai Festival while they continued to suffer in relief camps, unable to even cook proper meals for their children.
Many shouted that they were ready to die rather than languish in camps.
They also said that they were determined to return home at any cost.
A section of the IDPs managed to enter their villages for a brief period.
Later, the IDPs staged a sit-in at the adjoining areas of Dolaithabi and Sadu Yengkhuman villages, refusing to return to relief camps.
Given the proximity to Kuki-inhabited areas, security forces remained on high alert.
Imphal East DC and SP rushed to the spot and held talks with the protesters, but failed to pacify them.
Additional forces were deployed, and tear-gas shells and mock bombs were fired till evening, pushing the IDPs back toward Pukhao Terapur and Sagolmang areas.
The Khundrakpam Kendra Youths Organisation (KHUKYO) has strongly condemned what it described as the excessive and indiscriminate use of force by security personnel against the protesting IDPs. In a statement, KHUKYO alleged that security forces even fired tear gas shells inside the premises of Sagolmang Community Health Centre and directly at a school bus of Khundrakpam Public School that was carrying students. The organisation questioned under whose orders such brutal force was employed and held Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla responsible for the incident. The Chanura Chaokhat Khongthang Lup (CCKL) also condemned the alleged excesses of security personnel.