Over 1,000 displaced people from strife-torn Manipur cross over to Mizoram to take shelter

Reported by Isac Zoramsanga

The number of internally displaced people (IDPs) who have fled Manipur and taken shelter in Mizoram has risen to over 1,000 and the influx may grow even further in the coming days as per the State home department officials.

The officials informed that the maximum number of IDPs has taken shelter in the Assam border Kolasib district with over 750 people entering the district till Monday morning and more people continue to arrive.

These people, mostly aged individuals, women and children who fled Manipur’s Churachandpur district to take refuge in Mizoram are being lodged in vacant buildings while relief camps are being constructed in several villages to shelter them.

In Kolasib district, a maximum number of IDPs took shelter in Saipum, Saiphai, Pangbalkawn, Phainuam and Rengtekawn villages as well as Assam border Vairengte town. Other districts, which hosted IDPs are Aizawl, Saitual and Champhai.

While the latest figures are yet to comply, Saitual district has already hosted 406 displaced people last evening and Aizawl district around 150.

Meanwhile, over Rs 7 lakh has been collected among the doctor fraternity in Mizoram which will be sent to ‘Zo’ ethnic inhabited areas in Manipur to help the injured and sick people. A large amount of medicines have been flagged off on Sunday destined to reach Churachandpur Civil Hospital where doctors have been treating a large number of people injured in the recent clashes.

The state government also has been making arrangements to ensure that food and fuel are available for the ‘Zo’ ethnic community in the Mizoram-Manipur border areas.