Days after Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand initiated a videoconference interaction with internally displaced persons (IDPs) from both hill and valley districts to share their grievances and hardships, an IDP belonging to the Paite community, who is married to a Meitei woman, addressed the media in Imphal expressing concern over the condition of relief camps.
Anthony, who along with his wife had taken shelter in New Delhi following the outbreak of ethnic violence, stated that the couple could not stay in any of the relief camps in Manipur as they belonged to two communities affected by the conflict. He said their inter-community marriage left them with no option but to move out of the state, as they were unwilling to live separately.
With the situation gradually returning to normalcy, the couple recently returned to Imphal and interacted with the media. Anthony expressed concern over the welfare of IDPs across the state, alleging that many relief camps lack adequate food supply, financial assistance and proper medical access.
He informed that he has filed a case before the Supreme Court seeking intervention for the welfare of all IDPs in Manipur, irrespective of whether they are lodged in hill or valley districts.
Stressing that peace is the only viable solution to the crisis, Anthony called upon members of all communities to come together for dialogue and reconciliation. Responding to queries regarding political demands raised by certain Kuki-Zo groups, he stated that he was not interested in such issues and maintained that he believes in humanity, love and unity above all.