Imphal, June 20 2009: Except for the lower primary school, the temple of the forest deity and the church, all houses located in the Chingjao have been set ablaze by the combined security force.

Since June 19, a large section of combined security forces have been conducted search operation around the hilly Chingjao islet located in Pumlenpat in Thoubal district.

The combined force comprising of police commandos of Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal and Bishnupur districts, troops of 12 Maratha Light Infantry and 21 Assam Rifles drew back from Chingjao at about 10 am today.

Soon after the combined force started surrounding Chingjao, all the inhabitants of the area numbering around 150 fled away from their homesteads.

The villagers of the area have been taking shelter at Tokpaching, Chandonpokpi and Mondum villages till the time of filing this report.

Talking to media persons who visited these villages, the displaced villagers said that they would not go back until normal situation returns at their place.

One Heisnam Manitombi (35) w/o late Brajabidhu lamented that their small dwelling house giving shelter to her two daughters and herself has been burnt down.

Moreover, eight pigs reared by them have gone missing.

Yet, there was no report of any arrest of UG cadres or seizure of weapons during the search operations.

The villagers who are mostly fishermen have also lost a large number of their fishing equipment, they conveyed.

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