IMPHAL, Apr 15 : Feeling unsafe in their own homes following the Army Operation at Loktak lake, hundreds of villagers from the surrounding areas have fled and taken asylum in makeshift relief camps at Ithai Khunjao, Laphupat Tera Khunou and Arong Khongjong while many others are putting up with their relatives as there is not enough space at these relief camps.
Among the displaced villagers, there are pregnant women and young girls, terrified by the constant sounds of bombing and firing apart from placing bombs in their houses as well as young children who have started complaining of health problems due to exposure to the vagaries of inclement weather.
Interacting with the media during an inspection visit of these relief camps organised by Apunba Lup since yesterday, the displaced villagers pleaded for an end to the ongoing Army operation in consideration of their plights.
At the relief camp at Ithai Khunjao being opened for the villagers fleeing from Nongmaikhong, there were in all 440 displaced villagers. Five among them were pregnant women. The inspection team also came across three children who had fallen sick.
Raising strong objection to the use of six fishermen in rowing the boats of the Army during the operation, one of the villagers staying in the relief camp pointed out that the villagers who mostly depend on fishing activities in the lake have been compelled to flee their homes and hearths because of such undue pressure.
A 50-year old villager, who was among the six persons allegedly forced by the Army to row their boats and lead them to suspected UG hideouts recalled that ‘we have been called out from home for some assistance but were taken not only to the site of the operation but were also told to lead the way. When we refused, we were slapped and scolded using harsh words’’.
‘‘As we were forced to lead the way even beyond the point where a body was found, all six of us thought, it would be the last day of our lives’’, the boatman added with a sigh of relief.
At the relief camp of La-phupat Tera Khunou, the inspection team came acro-ss 250 refugees huddling together. Due to want of space in the relief camp, many of the displaced villagers have been reportedly putting up in the houses of their relatives and friends.
A 40-year old woman staying in the relief camp said that ‘even if the security forces assured us nothing would happen who would be able to stay at home when there is firing and bombing attacks going on right in your courtyard and backyard’.
We were also told to put out the lights at night, she added.
Another camper said that although the Army is claiming that the operation is being conducted on the southern side of the Loktak lake, it is actually inside Keibul Lamjao.
One of the villagers also pointed out that number of bombs that have been used in the ongoing operation has been so many that there is the possible of some unexploded bombs lying around. So it would dangerous for the villagers to resume their normal fishing activities even after the operation is over until and unless all unexploded bombs have not been cleared.
When the inspection team arrived at Khordak, security personnel were seen moving around the village though none of the villagers could be seen.
At the relief camp of Arong Khongjong where around 200 displaced villagers are taking shelter, the panic stricken villagers called upon the Government for ending the Army operation and ensuring their security. Until and unless, there is no security, what is the point of taking part in the MP election, one of the villagers in the camp quest- ioned. It is learnt that some of the local the MLAs have so far provided some relief materials to the displaced villa- gers staying in the relief camps.
Meanwhile, highlighting the present situation in Keibul Lamjao National Park area in the wake of the Army operation, 25 different organisations have jointly submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister urging for taking up necessary measures to save the endangered species of Sangai.
‘Operation with human face’
IMPHAL, Apr 15 : Naming Operation Summer Storm as an operation with a human face, with the objective of ensuring no collateral damages, PIB Defence Wing in a statement today said that in view of this, speculative firing which involves spraying bullets at an area has not been resorted to. This also entails that no harm is done to the Sangai. In order to ensure the safety of the villagers, they have been told to keep away from the areas where they are likely to come under crossfire. Relief camps to provide food and aid to the villagers have also been opened by the Army, it added.
No end to killings on poll eve
Ops Summer Storm claims more UGs
IMPHAL, Apr 15 : The total number of PREPAK cadres killed in the ongoing Operation Summer Storm launched by the Army since the wee hours of April 12 at Loktak lake has reached 9 with more deaths being confirmed. However the Army has claimed that the number of militants killed since the launch of the Operation has reached 11, though only the bodies of 9 slain militants have been deposited at RIMS morgue till today.
In a statement, PIB Defence Wing said that while nine bodies have been recovered and handed over to police, process is underway to recover two more bodies caught in the phumdis.
The Operation, code name Operation Summer Storm, was launched on April 10 by 57 Mountain Division, police commandos and Bishnupur police at Loktak lake, Chingmai Pat, Nomgmaikhong, Arong and Khordak said the statement and added that till the last report the joint team has destroyed five major camps of PREPAK.
Till date there have been four major encounters, said PIB.
Claiming that zero collateral damage is the priority, PIB said that as such speculative firing was never resorted to. The troops were sensitised that there may be women and children in the camp as well as not to cause harm to the Sangai at Keibul Lamjao. Once the operation is over, Forest officials will be able to venture into Keibul Lamjao and operate without fear and threats from the militants, added the statement.
Official sources said that nine bodies, including one Sgt Major of the PREPAK have been deposited at RIMS morgue and the identities of two have been confirmed. The latest instance of gun fight ensued yesterday morning at about 3 at Keibul Chingmei under Moirang police station. Troops of 7 Assam Rifles who took part in the shoot out reportedly eliminated three militants.
Two AK 56 rifles along with two bullets, four grenade launchers, one Chinese made hand grenade and other items were seized after the shoot out. The bodies have been deposited at RIMS morgue.
The identity of the one of the cadres killed on the first day of the operation at Ungamen Pat by 21 Para Troopers on the first day of the operation at Ungamen Pat by 21 Para troops has been established.
The slain youth has been identified as one Heisnam Arun alias Ngamba (16) of Chairen Mangjing.
According to sources the slain youth left home about 7 months back. The body was handed over to family members after post mortem at RIMS morgue yesterday.
The Army had claimed that one AK-47 rifle was recovered from his possession.
Out of the two militants killed by 7 Assam Rifles personnel in the operation on April 13 the identity of one of them has been established as Sgt Major Yumnam Suraj alias Korak alias Bucha (22) of Sagolband Bijoy Govinda.
The wife of the slain Sgt Major along with his minor son were taken into custody by the security forces one the day he was killed.
The identity of the other militant killed along with the Sgt Major is yet to be established.
Two AK 47 rifle with 12 bullets, one hand grenade along with two detonators were recovered from their possession.
The body of Suraj was handed over to family members after post mortem at RIMS morgue yesterday.
The operation launched using helicopters and UAVs is still going on with no sign of the Army suspending it. Troops are still surrounding the periphery of Loktak Lake and no one is allowed to venture into the lake.
Source: http://www.thesangaiexpress.com
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Among the displaced villagers, there are pregnant women and young girls, terrified by the constant sounds of bombing and firing apart from placing bombs in their houses as well as young children who have started complaining of health problems due to exposure to the vagaries of inclement weather.
Interacting with the media during an inspection visit of these relief camps organised by Apunba Lup since yesterday, the displaced villagers pleaded for an end to the ongoing Army operation in consideration of their plights.
At the relief camp at Ithai Khunjao being opened for the villagers fleeing from Nongmaikhong, there were in all 440 displaced villagers. Five among them were pregnant women. The inspection team also came across three children who had fallen sick.
Raising strong objection to the use of six fishermen in rowing the boats of the Army during the operation, one of the villagers staying in the relief camp pointed out that the villagers who mostly depend on fishing activities in the lake have been compelled to flee their homes and hearths because of such undue pressure.
A 50-year old villager, who was among the six persons allegedly forced by the Army to row their boats and lead them to suspected UG hideouts recalled that ‘we have been called out from home for some assistance but were taken not only to the site of the operation but were also told to lead the way. When we refused, we were slapped and scolded using harsh words’’.
‘‘As we were forced to lead the way even beyond the point where a body was found, all six of us thought, it would be the last day of our lives’’, the boatman added with a sigh of relief.
At the relief camp of La-phupat Tera Khunou, the inspection team came acro-ss 250 refugees huddling together. Due to want of space in the relief camp, many of the displaced villagers have been reportedly putting up in the houses of their relatives and friends.
A 40-year old woman staying in the relief camp said that ‘even if the security forces assured us nothing would happen who would be able to stay at home when there is firing and bombing attacks going on right in your courtyard and backyard’.
We were also told to put out the lights at night, she added.
Another camper said that although the Army is claiming that the operation is being conducted on the southern side of the Loktak lake, it is actually inside Keibul Lamjao.
One of the villagers also pointed out that number of bombs that have been used in the ongoing operation has been so many that there is the possible of some unexploded bombs lying around. So it would dangerous for the villagers to resume their normal fishing activities even after the operation is over until and unless all unexploded bombs have not been cleared.
When the inspection team arrived at Khordak, security personnel were seen moving around the village though none of the villagers could be seen.
At the relief camp of Arong Khongjong where around 200 displaced villagers are taking shelter, the panic stricken villagers called upon the Government for ending the Army operation and ensuring their security. Until and unless, there is no security, what is the point of taking part in the MP election, one of the villagers in the camp quest- ioned. It is learnt that some of the local the MLAs have so far provided some relief materials to the displaced villa- gers staying in the relief camps.
Meanwhile, highlighting the present situation in Keibul Lamjao National Park area in the wake of the Army operation, 25 different organisations have jointly submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister urging for taking up necessary measures to save the endangered species of Sangai.
‘Operation with human face’
IMPHAL, Apr 15 : Naming Operation Summer Storm as an operation with a human face, with the objective of ensuring no collateral damages, PIB Defence Wing in a statement today said that in view of this, speculative firing which involves spraying bullets at an area has not been resorted to. This also entails that no harm is done to the Sangai. In order to ensure the safety of the villagers, they have been told to keep away from the areas where they are likely to come under crossfire. Relief camps to provide food and aid to the villagers have also been opened by the Army, it added.
No end to killings on poll eve
Ops Summer Storm claims more UGs
IMPHAL, Apr 15 : The total number of PREPAK cadres killed in the ongoing Operation Summer Storm launched by the Army since the wee hours of April 12 at Loktak lake has reached 9 with more deaths being confirmed. However the Army has claimed that the number of militants killed since the launch of the Operation has reached 11, though only the bodies of 9 slain militants have been deposited at RIMS morgue till today.
In a statement, PIB Defence Wing said that while nine bodies have been recovered and handed over to police, process is underway to recover two more bodies caught in the phumdis.
The Operation, code name Operation Summer Storm, was launched on April 10 by 57 Mountain Division, police commandos and Bishnupur police at Loktak lake, Chingmai Pat, Nomgmaikhong, Arong and Khordak said the statement and added that till the last report the joint team has destroyed five major camps of PREPAK.
Till date there have been four major encounters, said PIB.
Claiming that zero collateral damage is the priority, PIB said that as such speculative firing was never resorted to. The troops were sensitised that there may be women and children in the camp as well as not to cause harm to the Sangai at Keibul Lamjao. Once the operation is over, Forest officials will be able to venture into Keibul Lamjao and operate without fear and threats from the militants, added the statement.
Official sources said that nine bodies, including one Sgt Major of the PREPAK have been deposited at RIMS morgue and the identities of two have been confirmed. The latest instance of gun fight ensued yesterday morning at about 3 at Keibul Chingmei under Moirang police station. Troops of 7 Assam Rifles who took part in the shoot out reportedly eliminated three militants.
Two AK 56 rifles along with two bullets, four grenade launchers, one Chinese made hand grenade and other items were seized after the shoot out. The bodies have been deposited at RIMS morgue.
The identity of the one of the cadres killed on the first day of the operation at Ungamen Pat by 21 Para Troopers on the first day of the operation at Ungamen Pat by 21 Para troops has been established.
The slain youth has been identified as one Heisnam Arun alias Ngamba (16) of Chairen Mangjing.
According to sources the slain youth left home about 7 months back. The body was handed over to family members after post mortem at RIMS morgue yesterday.
The Army had claimed that one AK-47 rifle was recovered from his possession.
Out of the two militants killed by 7 Assam Rifles personnel in the operation on April 13 the identity of one of them has been established as Sgt Major Yumnam Suraj alias Korak alias Bucha (22) of Sagolband Bijoy Govinda.
The wife of the slain Sgt Major along with his minor son were taken into custody by the security forces one the day he was killed.
The identity of the other militant killed along with the Sgt Major is yet to be established.
Two AK 47 rifle with 12 bullets, one hand grenade along with two detonators were recovered from their possession.
The body of Suraj was handed over to family members after post mortem at RIMS morgue yesterday.
The operation launched using helicopters and UAVs is still going on with no sign of the Army suspending it. Troops are still surrounding the periphery of Loktak Lake and no one is allowed to venture into the lake.
Source: http://www.thesangaiexpress.com
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