Torbung survivors ring out final warning Delhi's door knocked with ‘kill ourselves’ stand

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Oct 4: The internally displaced people of Torbung may take the extreme steps and even "kill ourselves" if they aren't allowed to return to their village within a week, even as they pin hope on the Prime Minister for relief.
The internally displaced people see no future in relief camps. They want the Prime Minister to give them assurance that they would be placed in a position to go back to their homes within a week. If this assurance is not given, they may take extreme actions and even kill themselves in protest, said Torbung Panchayat Victims' Committee co-convenor Moirangthem Roger Meitei today.
Addressing the media at Manipur Press Club, Imphal, Roger said the internally displaced people of Torbung are staying at different camps opened at Langol, Moirang, Kumbi, Thangmeiband, Phubala and Wangkhei, scattered across the valley.
Torbung is the place where violence first hit on May 3, 2023 when Kuki mobs and armed men went berserk attacking civilians and burning houses.
Roger said the people of Torbung have been languishing in relief camps for more than a year since May 3, 2023 after Kukis attacked them and burnt their houses.
The internally displaced people of Torbung staying in relief camps across the valley have lost their properties and means to earn livelihoods. They are getting two meals a day. They are surviving, not living, he said.
The displaced people have little hope for future. All they have left now is some hope that the Prime Minister would understand their plight and allow them to return to their village and start afresh again, he added.
The families are hoping that the Prime Minister would give his assurance to allow them to return to their village and homes within a week.
"If the Prime Minister doesn't give this assurance, then we would be forced to take extreme measures and even kill ourselves in protest," he cautioned.
Roger said the displaced people are planning to go to Delhi to seek the attention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and urge him to grant their wishes.
He said the displaced people are planning to stage a relay-hunger strike in Delhi.
In case the Prime Minister remains adamant and refuses to give assurance, then the displaced people would take the next extreme step of "killing themselves", he said.
"The displaced people are citizens of India. If we citizens aren't allowed to live in our own homes then it is hundred times better we die," Roger said.
The displaced folks of Torbung in relief camps do not want people to donate rice and pulses to them. They want people to help them buy flight tickets to go to Delhi and demand their rights, Roger said, seeking support from the public.
The victims' committee co-convenor also spoke about relief measures taken up by the Government.
In the last 17 months, he said, the Government has only given Rs 1000 each to each displaced person on four occasions.
While the Government had assured Rs 1 lakh to every IDP family, how many families have been given this aid is not known, he added.
The displaced families and children are facing difficulties on many fronts. They see no future in relief camps. They want to return to their homes and start their lives again, Roger said.
The violent conflict since May 3, 2023 has killed over 220 people and burnt hundreds of houses.
The conflict has displaced more than 60,000 people who are staying at relief camps set up across the State and in neighbouring States.