The Army and the Assam Rifles with the help of Kuki locals of Janlenphai village successfully restored a water pipeline supplying water to a Meitei village, stated IGAR (South) on Saturday.
After the water pipeline was damaged near Janlenphai village, there was disruption in water supply to the neighbouring Meitei village and they were facing a severe water crisis, the IGAR (South) stated in a release. This gesture of Kuki village has set an example for communal harmony and solidarity in the area, it added.
Also Read: Water pipelines of Kangchup, Khurkhul area disconnected by suspected Kuki militants
It may be recalled that 11 clubs of Khurkhul and neighbouring villagers had raised allegations that the main water pipelines of Kangchup and Khurkhul area were disconnected by suspected Kuki militants.
Village Development Committee member Usham Santi Khuman had told the media the pipelines supplying water to Khurkhul, Kanto and other villages were disconnected by suspected Kuki militants and that a water pipeline of Kangchup, which supplies water to Imphal was also disconnected.
Also Read: Government slammed for damage to water pipelines
Displaced people at the relief camps of Kanto Sabal Primary School had earlier raised condemnations against the government for not taking up steps to fix the water pipelines cut by suspected Kuki militants on May 4.
It may be mentioned that people of Khunkho Kuki Village under the jurisdiction of Leimakhong Police Station had allegedly cut the pipeline of Khurkhul Water Supply in 6-7 different places. They also allegedly cut the Leimakhong Kangchup Line in various areas, the pipeline which supplies drinking water in Imphal areas.
People who have been consuming from the said water supplies had been facing acute water scarcity.
Villagers demand additional security
Meanwhile, residents of Nongpok Sekmai Toubul Khunou on Saturday staged a sit-in protest, demanding additional security personnel to protect houses and properties and to prevent miscreants from burning them down.
In a release, North East Sporting Association (NESA) expressed concern over burning and looting of properties amid the prevailing communal conflict in the state.
Residents of over 50 houses of Toubul Khunou have been forced to flee for safety or either shifted to relief camps in wake of the communal clashes in the state and their homes and properties are left without any proper protection, it stated.
It said that residents of around only 10 houses are in the village at present safeguarding the properties left behind.
It asserted that although a team of Thoubal Commando under the guidance of Thoubal SP is reportedly deployed at the Village during night time, no police or security forces are deployed during the day time leaving the villagers to fend for themselves, thereby increasing apprehensions of possible attacks among the locals.
Protesters taking part in the sit-in also urged the state government, relevant district administration and district police to look into the matter and send additional security personnel and open a temporary outpost to ensure safety of the villagers, it stated.
They also mentioned incidents of alleged intimidation by the Assam Rifles stationed at the nearby Hill areas and expressed discontentment over the same, it said.
The locals further warned to ban entry of the Army if they continue instilling fear psychosis among the villagers bearing the brunt of the prevailing conflict instead of looking after them, it added.
