Nongshum villagers seek Govt's intervention

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, May 25 : Life in Nongshum village in Imphal East district is today one of tension and uncertainty, with the villagers constrained to be always on the alert, due to its geographical location. Situated near nine Kuki villages with Khongbal/Hongmal Tangkhul of Kangpokpi district situated in between, the villagers are today constrained to guard Nongshum village round the clock.
The residents of Nongshum village said that Kuki militants wielding heavy arms are seen coming very close to their village during night time regularly.
On visiting Nongshum village one Yaikhom Lamjing of the village said that at least 40 percent of the villagers have fled to safer places.
Lamjing who was taking his turn of guarding Nongshum village on the said day added that some suspected Kuki militants who passed through Khongbal Tangkhul and its neighbouring Kuki villages started firing on Nongshum village a day violence erupted in Churachandpur on May 3.
Continuing that the areas adjacent to the foothills of Nongshum village and other Kuki villages have been on the alert since Kuki militants and their supporters allegedly started to torch houses rampantly in the bordering places of Churachandpur district and Bishnupur district and Pukhao, Dolaithabi and Saikul areas bordering Kangpokpi and Imphal East districts, Lamjing affirmed that the villagers of Nongshum village will stay firm and take the fight to the Kuki militants.
Arubam Sanjoy, another villager of Nongshum village alleged that the Central paramilitary forces cannot completely control the movement of Kuki militants near the Khongmal Tangkhul village.
He also revealed that monumental statues of prominent Tangkhul political leader Rungsung Suisa and Meetei Revivalist Chingsubam Akaba adorn Khongbal Tangkhul signifying good relations with the Meetei villages, including Nongshum Village and Khongbal Tangkhul.
Saying that Nongshum village will be easily safeguarded if its surrounding villages give a helping hand, the Nongshum resident continued that the villagers have been running from pillar to post in defending their village from Kuki militants who are equipped with machine guns and automatic rifles.
Arubam Thajamanbi, a mother of two sons, hesitantly expressed deep disappointment with the security measures being taken by the Government in view of the prevailing situation.
She asserted the Government of India is much more concerned in dealing with SoO militants than saving innocent lives and denounced both the State Government and the legislators for remaining mute spectators although the State has been in mayhem for more than 20 days.
Stating that her school going sons have even been compelled to guard the village instead of concentrating on their studied, Thajamanbi urged both the State and Central Governments to work out a solution to bring an end to the turmoil.
Thajamanbi added that the State Government and every legislator in the State must understand the prevailing situation and continuing pressuring the Prime Minister, Home Minister and other Central Government leaders to intervene.