SF smokes peace pipe, villagers still uncertain

Imphal, June 08: Even though the Chakpikarong based 44 Brigade, brigadier has asked the displaced persons of Sajik Tampak areas to return to their homes the villagers are still reluctant to do so due to apprehension of escalation violence between underground elements and security force personnel there. The villagers' reluctance were highlighted to media persons during a visit at the remote Sajik Tampak areas organised by Indian Army. During an interaction with Brigadier VPPS Gushain at Chakpikarong, he said as Sajik Tampak and adjoining areas are highly sensitive, the security force has been making all out effort to ensure the safety of the villagers. Asserting that the Indian Army is striving to ensure a normal atmosphere and initiate development activities in remote areas, the Brigadier also declared there is no restrictions from the Army's side on villagers returning to their respective villages if they consider themselves to be safe and secure at their homes. Expressing that Sajik Tampak, Chakpikarong, Sugnu and Serou public understands why the Indian army has moved into these places, Gusain said with the arrival of Indian army personnel the general populace who were enduring several hardships can now live under a peaceful and secured environment. Moreover, security personnel have also been strictly instructed to ensure safety and well being of people in these areas, contended the brigadier. He also stated that security personnel have begun to move out from school buildings previously occupied by them as temporary measure following resumption of classes after the summer vacations while adding that in addition to the security operations, adequate attention is being paid to improve health facilities, hygienic drinking water and improvement of roadways. Replying to a query regarding encounters with underground members, the brigadier acknowledging the confrontation said the UGs launched the attack from a distant place to ensure their own safety which the security personnel also replied adequately while describing the UG attack as a futile attempt. Interacting with media persons some village chiefs of Sajik Tampak and Chakpikarong areas said villagers could now move about freely without any fear or intimidation. There is still no case of security personnel troubling the civilian population, they expressed while informing that village chiefs and meira paibi members are allowed to accompany security personnel in rounding up suspected underground activists. They however, confided that due to fear of being trapped in crossfire during encounter between security forces and underground elements the villagers could not attend to their fields located in far distance. Unlike previous instances of factional feuds between various underground groups the situation has changed to virtual normalcy but Sajik Tampak situation cannot be classified as cent percent safe due to lingering possibility clashes between the security force and undergrounds, they further commented. Under the Military Civic Action Programme a medical camp was found conducted a Serou under the aegis of 7 Sikh Light Infantry. The Infantry commander informed of about 700 persons in Serou area availing the opportunity where medicines were also provided to the needy persons free of cost. Besides regular conduct of medical camps the security force personnel have also drilled hand pumps, constructed two bus waiting shed and levelled play field at Serou, said the Commander. Army Engineers are also actively engaged to construct a heavy load bridge (Flying Fox) over Chakpi River to connect Serou with other place, said the Commander and added that security officials would also extend pre-recruitment training on July 18. Meanwhile, Chandel district Deputy Commissioner Arun Kumar Sinha informed that relief materials including 150 quintal of rice, 10 quintal pulses (dal), 40 quintal potato, 15 tarpaulin sheets, four plastic water container (portable reservoir), 10 lanterns, 24 mosquito nets, 225 litres of edible and 50 kgs of sugar were provided to the Sajik Tampak villagers. He also promised to provide further relief materials to enable the villagers overcome their suffering to some extend, the DC added. At Sajik Tampak the Army post commander SS Judge exulted at the fact that due to army presence State Government officials including the concerned DC and MLA could foray to the place to assess and intiate developmental programmes. From the Army's side necessary arrangement are being taken to assist the Sajik Tampak public, he opined. Prior to leaving Imphal for the conducted tour, Brigadier VK Pillai told media-persons at Kangla Fort to convey information to him regarding security personnel not issuing arrest memos while arresting alleged underground activists so that he could intervene on the matter at the earliest. Brigadier Pillai also informed of strong instruction being given to security personnel to issue arrest memos when suspected persons are picked up. The media tour programme was conducted from June 6.