Imphal: Internally displaced persons (IDPs) staying in the pre-fabricated housing complex at Sajiwa in Imphal East asked the government to let them return to their abandoned homes in Ikou, Imphal East, as a ‘Ningol Chakouba’ gift, otherwise they will not take part in ‘Ningol Chakouba’ festival.
Takhellambam Ibeyaima, a resident of Ikou Bazaar, staying in the pre-fabricated housing at Sajiwa, said the “Ningols (women) of Ikou” staying in the pre-fabricated houses have decided not to participate in the upcoming grand ‘Ningol Chakouba’ festival.
“We don’t want financial assistance from the government for the ‘Ningol Chakouba’ festival. We want to return to our homes. Present this to us as a ‘Ningol Chakouba’ gift, so that we can celebrate it next year. We want to celebrate the festival in our own homes, not in the temporary shelters.”
“We haven’t seen our homes since May last year. Forget about reaching Ikou village, we can’t even cross Dolaithabi, which is still far from our village,” she added.
Why is the government unable to make displaced persons return to their own homes? She asked.
Mutum Bijeta said, “I was displaced the day after my marriage, and my maternal home was also set on fire. Where am I supposed to go for Ningol Chakouba?”
The Meitei-Kuki conflict erupted on May 3, 2023 have displaced many villagers. They have been staying at relief camps and prefabricated houses.
Chief minister N. Biren Singh recently announced to pay Rs 1000 each of the IPDs ahead of Ningol Chakouba.
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