Nearly 9,000 internally displaced people ( IDPs ), who fled the strife-torn Manipur and took refuge in Mizoram , are set to forgo their voting rights as risking their lives by returning to exercise their franchise outweighs their electoral participation.
Mizoram, with its govt and NGOs supporting their Kuki counterparts from Manipur, has become a sanctuary for the IDPs who have been accommodated in relief camps and relatives’ homes. Many have also been living in rented houses in Mizoram, which is sheltering the highest number of refugees from Manipur, with 2,000-odd in relief camps.
The violence has left many with no homes to return to and reduced their belongings to ashes. The absence of political campaigns in their native villages is noticeable, but the lack of security is more concerning. The idea of going to vote seems unnecessary to those who have secured employment in Mizoram. The jobs may be menial but as long as the IDPs can support their families, the daily struggle for sustenance takes precedence over voting.
Robert Gangte from Chan del in Manipur now lives in Falkland relief camp in Aizawl with his family. He says after more than 300 houses, including his own in Zoveng village in Sugnu, were destroyed, the risk is not justified. “Parents at the camp are more concerned about their children’s schooling. Men have turned to labour-intensive jobs to make ends meet as the aid dwindles,” says Gangte.
Biakchungnunga Varte, who used to live in govt quarters in Lamphelpat in Manipur and now resides in Aizawl, says, “The desire to return is strong, but safety concerns prevent us.” The govt quarters where he lived and many nearby churches were destroyed. A Kuki, he and his family were rescued by CRPF during an attack on May 4. “It nearly cost the lives of nine of my family members,” says Varte, who maintains contact with his Meitei friends but avoids political debates.
Special polling stations have been set up at camps in Manipur but for IDPs living in Mizoram, like Varte or Gangte, there is no such provision.
Mizoram, with its govt and NGOs supporting their Kuki counterparts from Manipur, has become a sanctuary for the IDPs who have been accommodated in relief camps and relatives’ homes. Many have also been living in rented houses in Mizoram, which is sheltering the highest number of refugees from Manipur, with 2,000-odd in relief camps.
The violence has left many with no homes to return to and reduced their belongings to ashes. The absence of political campaigns in their native villages is noticeable, but the lack of security is more concerning. The idea of going to vote seems unnecessary to those who have secured employment in Mizoram. The jobs may be menial but as long as the IDPs can support their families, the daily struggle for sustenance takes precedence over voting.
Robert Gangte from Chan del in Manipur now lives in Falkland relief camp in Aizawl with his family. He says after more than 300 houses, including his own in Zoveng village in Sugnu, were destroyed, the risk is not justified. “Parents at the camp are more concerned about their children’s schooling. Men have turned to labour-intensive jobs to make ends meet as the aid dwindles,” says Gangte.
Biakchungnunga Varte, who used to live in govt quarters in Lamphelpat in Manipur and now resides in Aizawl, says, “The desire to return is strong, but safety concerns prevent us.” The govt quarters where he lived and many nearby churches were destroyed. A Kuki, he and his family were rescued by CRPF during an attack on May 4. “It nearly cost the lives of nine of my family members,” says Varte, who maintains contact with his Meitei friends but avoids political debates.
Special polling stations have been set up at camps in Manipur but for IDPs living in Mizoram, like Varte or Gangte, there is no such provision.
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