IMPHAL June 15: In the aftermath of the deadly June 4 ambush near Paraolon Village in Chandel and the subsequent military operation, all the villagers of the nearby areas have fled from their villages leaving behind their domesticated animals and fowls to starvation, asserted Indian Red Cross Society Manipur State Branch Secretary Dr Y Mohen Singh today.
Dr Mohen was addressing a press conference held at the IRCS office at MG Avenue following a joint mission visit of the IRCS, Centre for Organisation Research & Education and Disaster Relief Committee Manipur to the affected areas.
We are concern about their whereabouts and condition, he said referring to the villagers.
Speaking of their visit to the affected areas, he said it was made with due permission from the Ministry of Home Affairs and IGAR (S), however, along the route, security personnel had placed tree branches blocking the road and we had to take permission from the Army personnel guarding the area.
The intention of our visit was to assess the humanitarian requirements of the villagers, but we found most of the villages completely deserted except for the starving domesticated animals and fowls, he said.
Dr Mohen also added that we have requested the State PETA team to visit Paraolon and save the animals and at the same time appealed to the Army to allow access.
Meanwhile speaking over the phone, Chandel DC Kshetrimayum Robert said there is a meeting tomorrow with representatives of the affected areas.
He said the district authority will hear complaints of the locals and design redressal mechanisms accordingly.
Veteran activist Dr Gina Shangkham told IFP she have visited the area twice in the aftermath of the ambush and operation.
During the visits, the villagers told her team about the restrain on their mobility, she said.
The villagers said they are mostly farmers and the restrain on their mobility has delayed their plantation schedule and also expressed fear of losing their harvest this year, she said.
She continued till date the State seems to have failed to look on the issue from this angle and provide food security to the affected villagers.
On the other hand, SDPO Moreh Sadananda claimed over the phone that his station has not receive any complaint of misconduct during the operation till date.
Meanwhile a reliable source informed that local MLA Victor Nunghlung along with a team of the CNPO had tried to visit the affected villages on June 5 but was barred by the Army.