Over 4,000 violence victims belonging to the Meitei community, who were displaced from Moreh in Tengnoupal and Churachandpur districts, staged a sit-in-protest on Thursday at Wangjing-Heirok Lamkhai in Thoubal district, demanding additional state forces in Moreh and protection of lives in Moreh and Churachandpur.
The protest comes in the wake of the burning of about 15-16 abandoned houses of the Meiteis in Moreh by a mob and suspected Kuki militants on Wednesday.
One protester identified as Leisangthem Tamem Leima, currently staying at the relief centre opened at Lamding Higher Secondary School, strongly condemned the arson carried out on Meitei houses by Kukis in Moreh on Wednesday in front of the numerous central paramilitary forces deployed in the area.
She also questioned the government if Moreh will remain a Chin-Kuki terrorist dominated land. She appealed to both governments to deploy additional state forces in Moreh and Churachandpur to save the innocent civilians from the Kuki militants.
She recalled the terrifying incident which happened on the afternoon of May 3, the day the clash broke out. The Meiteis fled for their lives and took shelter in Moreh police station and AR camp when the Kukis started burning the Meitei houses, she said. She continued that they stayed for seven days in the security camps and they even had their food on leaves. Later they were shifted to safer places by the AR personnels.
Placards that read, "Enforce More State Forces at Moreh", "We want State Force Duty at Moreh", "Awake State and Central Administration", " Please Save Us Modiji", " Go Back Assam Rifles", were displayed during the protest.
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