The total number of internally displaced persons from Manipur residing in Meghalaya has now dropped to 77, Deputy Commissioner RM Kurbah informed today.
This is a drop from the 365 who were registered with the government earlier.
However, these figures are almost certainly underestimates, with Kuki organisations stating that nearly 1,000 people had fled the violence in Manipur and taken shelter in Shillong.
The DC said this at a press conference today where she was accompanied by East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police (SP) Sylvester Nongtnger and Additional District Magistrate (ADM) Ronnie Wahlang.
Kurbah informed that following the violence in Manipur, three communities – Gangte, Vaiphei and Zo communities of the Kuki tribe came to Shillong to take shelter and they had been accommodated by churches and associations.
“There were about 365 migrants that were reported and this number was given by the concerned community to the police. The ADM conducted an inquiry and also met them personally,” Kurbah mentioned.
Wahlang said that on having received directions of the DC, he along with the BDO of Mawpat conducted three meetings. One was held at Madanryting in the presence of locality heads and representatives of the three communities were present at the meeting .
“The representatives expressed gratitude to the police and administration for providing protection to the migrants who arrived in Shillong. The Seng Kynthei had also extended help to women and the elderly. In the meeting the DC assured all possible assistance to the migrant communities and till date we are in constant touch with them,” Wahlang said.
The state administration had received criticism over the apparent lack of concern shown to the displaced persons, which has apparently prompted today’s press conference.
“The pastors of the two institutions have submitted a report to us that there are no longer any migrants that live in the church institutions and that the 77 living here are put up either in their relatives place and some have managed to get rented accommodation,” Wahlang informed.
Concerning the students, Wahlang said that some are already pursuing education in the state and some are seeking admission. The district administration has facilitated in providing information that is necessary and has requested the pastor in-charge and representatives of three communities if at all should there be any need for admissions considering that it is mid-year, they will do the needful.
The Dorbar Shnong of Lapalang together with the administration also conducted a meeting on May 20 where they had direct interaction with the migrant families and they assured all possible assistance in addition to police protection.
Meanwhile, the DC refuted any claims that the displaced persons from Manipur were being harassed and said that the documents in all localities were sought from all tenants and not particularly from Manipur tenants. She added that so far there has been no complaints of these migrants facing a challenge to get admission or rent accommodation in the state.
