SIPHRO

M Kaimuanthang

Lamka, February 16, 2006: The villagers of Thanlon and Parbung subdivisions have expressed a fervent wish that the Army should stay forever in their area so that peace prevails and everybody may take up economic activities without disturbance.

These sentiments were reportedly expressed to the DC, Churachandpur, AK Sinha during his tour of these areas since February 11 to take stock of the prevailing situation.

The DC returned to Churachandpur town this evening after going all the way to Mizoram where he met with Hmar refugees from Manipur who are currently taking shelter there.

In the course of his tour, the DC held a public meeting at Thanlon community hall on February 12 morning, attended by villagers and local leaders, wherein means to re-establish civil administration apparatus was discussed.

Participating Army officials were reported to have given assurances to the civil officials of providing a security blanket.

Government officers, particularly the SDO, have been instructed to proceed to Thanlon at the earliest, to be followed by other departments, said sources.

After the meeting at Thanlon, the DC and his team proceeded to Parbung, taking the Tipaimukh road, where he took stock of the Hmar community settled there.

The DC also inspected government offices, including the SDO office, which were reportedly used earlier as militant camps, and destroyed in fighting with Army troops.

The DC later proceeded to Sakawrdai village in Mizoram where a temporary grouping for all the Hmar refugees from Manipur has been arranged.

In a simple function held at Sakawrdai, the DC thanked the government of Mizoram for the aid extended to the refugees, and assured that he would take steps to ensure all the expenses incurred by the Mizoram government are reimbursed.

As per report, the SDO, Sakawrdai, informed that the Mizoram government had spent an amount of Rs. 1 lakh for extending aid to the refugees.

Courtesy: Imphal Free Press