Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 17:
Conveying deep concern over the plight of displaced villagers of Khengjoi range, the United Committee Manipur has urged the State Government to provide necessary relief material to the displaced villagers and to take up action so that the displaced villagers can live peacefully in their respective villages.
A statement by UCM flayed the State Government for its indifference to the plight of the villagers.
It observed that the SPF Ministers and MLAs were engaging themselves in inauguration, foundation stone laying activities and election campaigns making tall claims of patriotism, quite oblivious to the alleged excesses of security forces.
UCM asserted that the State Govt should be held responsible for the miseries being endured by the displaced villagers taking shelter in public places and homes of other people during the cold winter month.
Taking strong exception to the displacement of villagers ahead of the great Christmas festival, it asked if there is any de facto elected Govt in the State.
UCM pledged that it would extend all possible help to the displaced villagers besides visiting them to discuss ways and means of restoring peace in Khengjoi villages.
Claiming Ops Khengjoi a success by ousting villagers from their homesteads and rendering them homeless was a 'remarkable feat' of SF, remarked the statement adding it was a clear testimony that security forces perceive civilian lives as worthless.
It asked whether it can be interpreted that civil administration has been restored by establishing an army post each in the deserted villages which lie neglected all these years.
The statement further noted that it was the indiscriminate firing by SF which forced the villagers to flee from their homes, putting them in a miserable situation.