Shillong, July 11: There are only 77 migrants from Manipur sheltered in the city, according to the East Khasi Hills district administration.
Deputy Commissioner RM Kurbah addressed a press conference on Tuesday to inform the status of the Manipur residents who came to Shillong following the ethnic violence in the neighbouring state.
Kurbah said there were initially around 365 migrants from Manipur staying in Shillong, following the violent incidents during May.
“Most of them belonged to the Gangte, Vaiphei and Zou people from the Kuki tribe of Manipur and have come to Shillong to take shelter. They were accommodated by churches and associations. Most of them have gone back to Aizawl, Manipur and some have gone to Bangalore, Guwahati and New Delhi,” Kurbah said.
According to additional district magistrate Ronnie Wahlang 77 persons from Manipur found shelter in their relatives’ or friends’ homes and a few managed to get hostel accommodation since they are students pursuing their studies in different institutions in Shillong.
Meetings were also convened at Madanrting police station and with the Dorbar Shnong of Lapalang where the representatives of the three communities expressed gratitude to them for providing protection to the migrants.
The Seng Kynthei of Madanrting has also extended assistance particularly to the women, the elderly and the infirm.
“Till date, we are in constant touch with them and therefore, the number as provided by the DC has dwindled. Today the numbers stand at 77 and this is based on the submission that has been made by the representatives of these three communities and the two church denominations – the Chin Baptist Association (CBA) and Evangelical Baptist Church Convention (EBCC). The pastors of these two institutions have also submitted reports to us stating that there are no longer any migrants who live in the church institutions,” Wahlang said.
“We would also like to place on record our sincere gratitude to the Dorbar Shnong Lapalang which in the initial stage of the migration of these affected families to Shillong particularly into Lapalang locality had even provided them dry rations. On having interacted with them, we understood that most of them were looking forward to going back to their state,” he said.
The SP of East Khasi Hills Sylvester Nongtnger also facilitated the safe return of the migrants from Manipur.
Nongtnger said the state police under the leadership of the DGP had convened a meeting with the Meitei and Kuki communities and asked them to maintain peace, law and order as long as they are residing in Shillong. He also assured security and protection to both the communities.
