IDPs' bid to return home stopped
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By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jul 16 : A large number of internally displaced people (IDPs) attempted to return to their native places at Dolaithabi in Imphal East today, but they were stopped by security forces at Pukhao Terapur.
Despite the blockade, around 28 IDPs, however, managed to evade the security personnel and swam across the Dolaithabi Dam to reach their village.
The incident took place around 9.30 am today
It is reported that residents of Dolaithabi, Yeng- khuman, Ekou, Thangal Surung, Leitanpokpi etc attempted to return home after a meeting with the Imphal East Deputy Commissioner on July 13 failed to provide a concrete answer regarding their safe return.
The residents, having been displaced since the onset of the crisis, sought clarity on when they could go back to their villages.
Despite the restrictions by security personnel and the risks involved, some IDPs managed to reach Dolaithabi to inspect the remains of their homes by swimming across the Dolaithabi Dam.
They returned after inspecting their houses.
A group of IDPs also met the Imphal East DC following the incident.
Speaking to the media, Rajkumar Prem, an IDP, stated that the Imphal East DC has assured to facilitate their safe return within two months.
Prem warned that he will return home and take his own life if the assurance isn't fulfilled.
Prem said they decided to return to their abandoned homes despite the risk involved and the restrictions by higher authority because they deeply miss their home.
After seeing his house for the first time in over two years, Prem became emotional, struggling to put into words the feelings that overwhelmed him.
He described the devastated state of Dolaithabi, where most of the 37-38 houses were either burnt down or demolished and their paddy fields cultivated by Kukis.
Prem said they rested for a while at their birthplace, savouring the familiar air and surroundings after a long time.
Sapam Mangol, another IDP who has been taking refuge at Sawombung relief camp, expressed disappointment over the Government's inability to facilitate their resettlement, calling it unfortunate.
He was part of the IDPs who met the Imphal East DC today.
Mangol questioned the Government's decision to allocate funds for rebuilding burnt and destroyed houses if the IDPs are not allowed to return to their homes, asking, "Where will these houses be built if we're not allowed to go back?"
He said that if the DC's assurance of facilitating their return within two months isn't fulfilled, they will launch an agitation with the support of various civil society organizations (CSOs) and local clubs.
Another IDP who attempted to return to her village said that they would have been grateful if authorities had deployed security personnel at their villages, enabling them to return under protection instead of restricting their entry.
Notably, the Manipur Government has set a December target to shut down all relief camps housing people displaced by the conflict.
IMPHAL, Jul 16 : A large number of internally displaced people (IDPs) attempted to return to their native places at Dolaithabi in Imphal East today, but they were stopped by security forces at Pukhao Terapur.
Despite the blockade, around 28 IDPs, however, managed to evade the security personnel and swam across the Dolaithabi Dam to reach their village.
The incident took place around 9.30 am today
It is reported that residents of Dolaithabi, Yeng- khuman, Ekou, Thangal Surung, Leitanpokpi etc attempted to return home after a meeting with the Imphal East Deputy Commissioner on July 13 failed to provide a concrete answer regarding their safe return.
The residents, having been displaced since the onset of the crisis, sought clarity on when they could go back to their villages.
Despite the restrictions by security personnel and the risks involved, some IDPs managed to reach Dolaithabi to inspect the remains of their homes by swimming across the Dolaithabi Dam.
They returned after inspecting their houses.
A group of IDPs also met the Imphal East DC following the incident.
Speaking to the media, Rajkumar Prem, an IDP, stated that the Imphal East DC has assured to facilitate their safe return within two months.
Prem warned that he will return home and take his own life if the assurance isn't fulfilled.
Prem said they decided to return to their abandoned homes despite the risk involved and the restrictions by higher authority because they deeply miss their home.
After seeing his house for the first time in over two years, Prem became emotional, struggling to put into words the feelings that overwhelmed him.
He described the devastated state of Dolaithabi, where most of the 37-38 houses were either burnt down or demolished and their paddy fields cultivated by Kukis.
Prem said they rested for a while at their birthplace, savouring the familiar air and surroundings after a long time.
Sapam Mangol, another IDP who has been taking refuge at Sawombung relief camp, expressed disappointment over the Government's inability to facilitate their resettlement, calling it unfortunate.
He was part of the IDPs who met the Imphal East DC today.
Mangol questioned the Government's decision to allocate funds for rebuilding burnt and destroyed houses if the IDPs are not allowed to return to their homes, asking, "Where will these houses be built if we're not allowed to go back?"
He said that if the DC's assurance of facilitating their return within two months isn't fulfilled, they will launch an agitation with the support of various civil society organizations (CSOs) and local clubs.
Another IDP who attempted to return to her village said that they would have been grateful if authorities had deployed security personnel at their villages, enabling them to return under protection instead of restricting their entry.
Notably, the Manipur Government has set a December target to shut down all relief camps housing people displaced by the conflict.