Manipur IDP number swells to 7,000

Aizawl, 17 May (TOI): Almost 7,000 internally displaced people in Manipur have taken shelter in Mizoram till Tuesday, state home department officials said.

With the entry of 412 people from Manipur during the last 24 hours, 6,932 displaced people have taken shelter in Mizoram due to turmoil in the neighbouring state, the officials said. They said more people crossing the Mizoram-Manipur interstate border to take refuge in the state is a high possibility as the situation in Manipur remains volatile.

The northeastern district of Saitual again has the maximum number of displaced people at 2,402 followed closely by Aizawl district and Kolasib district with 2,259 and 2,099 people taking refuge respectively.

Champhai district has 14 displaced people from Manipur, while Khawzawl and Serchhip districts have 17 and 14 people respectively.

While numerous displaced families have joined their relatives and friends in their homes, a large number of them are lodged in community halls, schools and vacant buildings.