It has been two years since caste violence in Manipur, but thousands of people are still forced to live in relief camps and temporary houses away from their homes. They are not only struggling with lack of basic facilities, but are also immersed in deep concern about their future.
Yes. Kipgen used to operate a coaching institute earlier, but today living a refugee life with three children and waiting for his home to return to his home.
Kipgen said emotionally, “Everything has been destroyed. There is no job, nor stable income. The future of children looks bleak. ”
On May 3, 2023 in Manipur, violence between Meeti and Cookie-which erupted, in which more than 260 people have been killed and more than 1,500 injured. Due to this, around 70,000 people have been displaced.
However, President’s rule is in force in the state and Chief Minister N.K. Biren Singh has been removed from the post, but Shanti is still a distant thing.
Abung of the Meeti community living in a temporary house in Vishnupur district said, “Earlier I had a grocery store and a good business was being done. Now I have lost everything. This life is nothing short of a punishment. ”
Abeneo Devi, who is living in Imphal, said, “Initially there was some help, but now we have all been forgotten. Sometimes one has to live on the mercy of others to eat and drink. This is very humiliating. ”
The government and NGOs provided skill training to make the internal displaced employable, but these initiatives did not provide any special help in reducing their grief.
While the Cookie community is demanding separate administration, the Meeti community is demanding the implementation of the National Civil Register (NRC) and the return of illegal migrants. Common people are crushing amidst the demands of both sides.
In this regard, a Central Security Agency official said that now the situation has deteriorated so much that armed groups have controlled communities. He is running their political agenda, ignoring the suffering of common people, “by ignoring the suffering of common people.”
The official also informed that forced recovery in the Imphal Valley and illegal tax collection in cookie dominated areas have increased rapidly. Many old militant groups have become active again and are recruiting unemployed youth.
