When Humanity sought refuge in its own cradle - A Lesson from the past.

This is a file picture of Gomi village (Machi Sub-Division, Chandel district) taken during autumn, 2009. Judging by the picture, it may seem like this village had just been established. The fact is, it could be one of the oldest villages perched on the eastern hills of Manipur. Mention maybe made here that Gomi village along with other villages of the area (Samukom/Samkhong, Simang, Molpi, Gomi, Sijang, Bongmol, Khongbung/Bongli, Kuljang, Leithao, Maolhang, Zougam, Haikot, Peljang & Lamjang) were deserted by villagers who fled due to impending threat on their lives. The merciless aggression and counter-aggression among the hill peoples of Manipur and Nagaland was spreading across the hills like wildfire. Well, that was during the early 90s. Since then, only God knows who roamed the hill-range left behind by the people who have tended its soil since time immemorial.

As with victimized and ill-fated communities of other districts, the villagers who fled to save their heads assembled and lived together in a ‘Grouping Centre’ arranged by their fellow tribesmen, unitedly defending the host-village – in most cases, a frontline bastion built to save families from brutal enemy attacks.  All the while, they were longing to get back to their hills-their home. Time passed by and it was not until the dawn of the new millennia that these villagers got to get back to their respective villages, rebuilding their homes, their lives. Without ample support from the Government, it was not an easy task. Rebuilding their lives came through with utmost and relentless effort of community members of the area; the Chiefs, civil organizations etc., who felt that their forefathers’ hunting ground could be lost if left unguarded for long. They felt the hard beating of the ‘refugee’-heart which had been longing for so long to once again get a feel - of the warmth of its own hearth.

In 2002, villagers of the aforementioned villages were resettled where they all belong (all but Lamjang). However, as unsuspecting fate would befall them again, trouble has never been far from most of the resettled villagers since then. The Indian Government/Indian Army started surgical military operations in the area, targeting militant outfits operating in remote corners of the state. Since some of these insurgent groups are believed to be based in unspecified areas within Chandel and Ukhrul districts bordering Myanmar (Burma), the resettled villagers often become victims of the never-ending military operations’ misdemeanors.  With little signs of change to this day these villages are in dire straits,  their only comfort being their hope and prayer - that in good time  fate would surely favour them and bring back the ‘good old days’ of yore.