Imphal: Violence affected people from Moreh, who have sought refuge in relief camps, have taken a significant step by burning their Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) cards. These cards contained addresses that had been altered and renamed in Kuki dialects. The Committee on Protection of Meitei Victims in Moreh has voiced their concern and is demanding that legal action be taken against the officials responsible for the unauthorized alteration of addresses amidst the ongoing violence.
The incident unfolded at the Ideal Girls College Gate in Akampat, where the PMJAY cards were set ablaze today. Leishangthem Inaocha, Chairman of the Committee, highlighted the situation, explaining that five Meitei villages in Moreh had been renamed as Kuki villages.
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He provided specific examples, such as Moreh Heinoumakhong Leikai and Moreh Turel Wangma Leikai being renamed Chikim Village, Moreh Khunou Leikai as T Yangnom Village, Moreh Khongnangthaba Leikai Bazar as D Monophai Village, and Moreh Premnagar as Phaicham Village. He condemned the recent renaming of addresses on 113 PMJAY cards, viewing it as a deliberate attempt to erase the presence of the Meitei community in Moreh. Leishangthem Inaocha has urged the government to rectify these errors promptly and asserted his suspicion that Kuki bureaucrats may have been involved in the process. He issued a warning that the committee would file a First Information Report (FIR) against those responsible.
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Taking part in the agitation, Thangjam Budha, Convenor of the Committee on Protection of Meitei Victims Moreh, had expressed his concerns about the potential for further agitation if additional autonomous power were granted to the Kuki community. He also expressed disappointment over the condition of the temporary homes being constructed for the displaced individuals at Yaithibi Loukon. He appealed for adequate security measures to be put in place for safe return of the displaced people in Moreh instead of putting them up at relief camps or temporary homes.
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