Yangoupokpi villagers abandon village after UG threat

IMPHAL, January 23: The residents of Yangoupokpi, a tiny Meitei hamlet on the Myanmar border in the Chandel district under the Tengnoupal police station, have abandoned the village after suspected Naga militants served a warning on the villagers to leave on the threat of the dire consequences. This was disclosed by five of the villagers who have since fled to Imphal, during a press conference held at the branch office of the All Manipur Social Reformation and Development Samaj at Singjamei Kshetri Leikai. According to the villagers, a large group of well-armed UGs, thought to belong to one of the NSCN factions, invaded the village on January 16 last, beating up the villagers, ransacking furniture and looting food. They also warned the villagers to leave the village at the earliest, threatening them with fatal consequences otherwise. The UGs reportedly accused the villagers of acting as informers for the Meitei underground groups, and for the Myanmarese Army. According to the villagers, following the threat, most of the villagers have fled to safe areas. Some have gone to Moreh, while others have moved across the international border into Myanmar, they said. The five villagers, who identified themselves as Henmaithem Ibotombi, 32, his wife Tamen, 25, Khundrakpam Kalachand, 53, Saikhom Ibomcha, 21, Warokpam Gangamani, 43, and his wife Ingochabi, said on January 20, they left the village and reached Moreh where they sought shelter with the Meitei Council, Moreh. The latter suggested they should go to Imphal, and accordingly they contacted the All Manipur Social Reformation and Development Samaj yesterday evening, they said. P Chaobi Devi, president of the Samaj, said the matter raised by the villagers, who are currently being given shelter by the Samaj will be discussed in a general body meeting of the organisation. The Samaj would also bring the matter to the notice of the state government.