Life limps back to normalcy in Manipur, over 23000 people in relief camps
Life is gradually limping back to normalcy in Imphal, Churachandpur which are two of the worst affected districts in the recent violence which engulfed Manipur. Curfew was relaxed for three hours in the morning from 10 AM in these districts and also other affected parts of the state.
The security bondabast which is under Indian Army stepped up its vigil, both air and on the ground. In the past 24 hours there has been aerial surveillance, movement of UAVs and redeployment of army helicopters within Imphal valley.
Army and paramilitary forces number about 120-125 have been have been working tirelessly past 96 hr to rescue civilians across all communities, curb violence and restore normalcy. Army flag marches are still being conducted in some parts to ensure that the restoration of normalcy is nor hampered.
Total 23000 civilians have been rescued till now and moved operating bases military garrisons of the defence establishments. In Imphal around 10,000 Kuki residents have been rescued and kept in camps and in Churachandpur 7000 Meiteis have been rescued.
So far, as many as 30-40 are reported to have died in the violence that gripped different parts of Imphal and as many as 15-20 deid in Churachandpur.
There are reports of mob checkings happening in and around some places along the Tedim road from Imphal to Churachandpur. Additional security forces have been deployed on the route from the airport to Moirang and up to Churachandpur, which are predominantly Meitei-populated areas.
Deputy Inspector Genereal of CRPF, Sh Premjeet Meitei has been appointed as nodal officer in Churachandpur to supervise deployment of central armed police forces.
Meanwhile, in a letter sent on May 6 to Sambit Patra, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) who is also the national spokesperson of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and in-charge of North East MLA from Churachandpur, L M Khaute has requested him to airlift three persons who were seriously injured in the firing on May 5 evening at Lamka. There three persons were injured when security forces fired on a small gathering which was trying to stop a rescue operation. Four people including a 33 year old nurse was killed in the firing.
As movement between Churachandpur and Imphal, passing through some potentially volatile areas, is still restricted and challenging given the present circumstances, the MLA has urged the BJP leader who has been camping in Imphal to intervene. He said that, as per the advice of doctors attending to the injured in Lamka, better medical facilities are needed to save their lives. The nearest such facilities would be available in Guwahati.
