Tags: Imphal

Imphal, April 19 : About 900 displaced villagers have threatened to boycott the second phase Lok Sabha polls on April 23 if the 'Operation Summer Storm' launched by army and paramilitary forces to flush out insurgents from surrounding areas of Loktak Lake and Manipur's Bishenpur district was not stopped.

A decision to this effect was taken during a public meeting of the villagers including about 129 children, who had fled from their homes due to the Operation, at Nongmaikhong Junior High School in the district, official reports from the district said today.

Reports said the displaced persons also took out a huge public rally before the meeting, demanding suspension of ongoing 'Operation Summer Storm' as it also endangered the lives of the rare species brow-antlered deer at nearby Keibul Lamjao National park due to frequent firing and explosion of bombs by security forces.

According to the reports, the villagers, fled apprehending that they would be caught in crossfire between security forces and militants, were being given shelter at relief camps at Ithai, Laphupat Tera Khunou, Arong Khunjao and surrounding villages, all near Loktak Lake, about 45 km south of here.

Placards held by rallyists read, 'Stop using civilian as human shield', 'We want peace', 'Stop bombing Keibul Lamjao National park', 'Let the people live in peace', the reports said.

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