Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 24:
A joint body consisting of members of COHR, TIPS, UNAM, Macha Leima, Poirei Leimarol Meira Paibi Apunba Manipur, AMKIL, Women Action Committee, Human Rights Alert, Chaunra Lamchinlen Kangleipak and Kangla Mei carried out a four day visit to Sajik Tampak from May 21 to 24 to have a first-hand account of the prevailing situation at Sajik Tampak and its surrounding areas following the offensive launched by the army.
Interacting with the visiting members of the joint body, the displaced villagers who are presently lodged at Sajik Tampak lamented that they have not been able to return to their respective villages since the security forces began their offensive on April 19 as the situation is still volatile with the UGs still in control of the interior areas.
Initially the army prevented the villagers from going back to the respective villages for retrieving some of the goods left behind but the ban was lifted from May 21 when the army authorities allowed some of the villagers to go back to the villages after thorough verification, said a displaced villager adding that he is completely in the dark on how long the army was going to allow free access to their villages taking into consideration the unstable law and order situation in the area.
The villagers also informed that the army is regularly carrying out search operation in the villages around Sajik Tampak Sajik Tampak twice a week to flush out militants and added that underground bunker have also dug in almost every house of the village to protect themselves during fierce encounters between the UGS and the security forces.
Lamenting that the ongoing clashes between the UGs and the security forces have deprived them off their source of income, they said that the future of the villagers is very bleak as they have no provision for the future once they return to their respective villages.
It may be noted here that the 10 villages of the Sajik Tampak area which have been deserted by is inhabitants are S Molnom, Yangon, Kathong Khuman, Bongpijang, Molphei, Bethel, Khulmunom, Aigajang, Gelmon and Moliem.
The first three are reported to Zoumi villages while the rest are Kuki villages.