By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, July 11: At least 77 people from violence-hit Manipur are currently taking refuge in Shillong.
East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner, RM Kurbah on Tuesday said 365 people from Manipur came to Meghalaya soon after the violence broke out on May 3, but many went to Aizawl, Guwahati, Bengaluru, and New Delhi.
She said the people who took refuge in Shillong were primarily from three Kuki communities – Gangte, Vaiphei, and Zo – and the churches and associations initially accommodated them.
“The local communities concerned reported 365 migrants to the police station. The ADM conducted an inquiry and also met them personally,” Kurbah said.
ADM Ronnie Wahlang said that he and the BDO of Mawpat conducted three meetings with the displaced people, as directed by the DC. The representatives of the three communities were present in one of the meetings held at the Madanrting PS. “The representatives expressed gratitude to the police and administration for providing protection to the migrants who arrived in Shillong. The Seng Kynthei (women’s group) also extended help to women and the elderly. In the meeting, the DC assured all possible assistance to the migrant communities and to date, we are in constant touch with them,” Wahlang said.
“The pastors of two institutions submitted a report saying the migrants were not living in the church institutions any longer and the remaining 77 people have put up either at the houses of their relatives place or in rented accommodation,” he said.
The Dorbar Shnong of Lapalang, together with the administration, also interacted with the migrants from Manipur on May 20 and assured them of all possible assistance in addition to police protection.
Meanwhile, Kurbah refuted claims that the people from Manipur were being harassed and said that documents were sought from all tenants in all localities, and not just from the people from the violence-affected northeastern state.
She added that there have been no complaints of the migrants facing a challenge in getting admission or finding rented accommodation in the state.
Nongthymmai MLA and TMC state president, Charles Pyngrope on Tuesday urged the government to set up a relief camp for displaced people from Manipur.
“It will be in the best interest of everyone if the government can set up a relief camp to maintain a proper record of the people entering the state,” he said while adding that the Dorbar Shnong can also help in monitoring the relief camp.
“I have offered some help to the people who have come here. What is more important than material support is love and comfort since they have lost everything in the conflict,” he said.