Imphal, April 16 2009: Around 100 villagers, mainly women who are taking refuge at different relief camps due to Operation Summer Storm today tried to throng the Chief Minister's bungalow to submit a memorandum pressing to take up necessary action to stop the operation immediately.

The villagers tried to proceed towards CM's bungalow by taking out a rally after they reached the Capital at around 3:30 pm in two buses at Hapta Kangjeibung.

However, the agitating villagers were barricaded by police commandos in front of CC Hr Sec School.

Later, four representatives of the affected villagers and three members from Apunba Lup were allowed to submit the memorandum.

Considering the sufferings being faced by the villagers and possible threats to Sangai, the memorandum urged the CM to take up necessary action to stop the operation as soon as possible.

Maintaining that the gun firing and bombing area is exactly at the area of Keibul Lamjao, where Sangais are inhabiting, the memorandum drew the attention of the CM that the operation could have affected the lives of the endangered species badly.

As many of the villagers are living hand to mouth, they are facing threat to their lives due to the operation, the memorandum said.

Around 2500 villagers are taking refuge at Ithai Khunjao community hall, Tera Khunou Bamon Mandop and Arong Khunjao community hall, and many have fled to other safer places, the memorandum added.

It also expressed reservations over using of some villagers as 'human shield' in the operation by security forces.

They were forced to row canoes in the middle of the gun firing and bombing, the memorandum added.

As the villagers left their homes, the memorandum said, they are extremely worried about their domestic animals, fowls, fish farms, fishing equipments, where they completely dependant their living.

The memorandum also said that the villagers are not able to send their children to school due to the operation.

A woman, who came to submit the memorandum said that sounds of gun-shot and explosion could be heard at around 12 noon today as well.

In such condition, they are extremely worried about the life of their children, the women added.

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