Children in one of the relief camps in Santipur, under Bokajan sub-division, Karbi-Anglong give curious looks, while a security man stands vigil in the background on Tuesday, January 7. Photo by Caisii Mao
Night curfew to continue in affected area
Dusk to dawn curfew in the violence-affected areas of Karbi Anglong will continue till such time the situation stabilizes, stated the Sub-Divisional Officer of Bokajan sub-division on Tuesday, January 7. The statutory promulgation however does not affect vehicular movement on the highways.
Dusk to dawn curfew in the violence-affected areas of Karbi Anglong will continue till such time the situation stabilizes, stated the Sub-Divisional Officer of Bokajan sub-division on Tuesday, January 7. The statutory promulgation however does not affect vehicular movement on the highways.
According to reports, the situation in the affected areas is calming as some people from the relief camps were able to go their villages on Tuesday, albeit under security. Fifty-two people from Santipur relief camp made the trip back to their villages today, said one relief worker at Santipur. These people will however return to the relief camps.
Figures provided at the relief camp put the count of houses burnt in the Rengma villages at 48. According to the figures, 17 houses were razed at Sathi village (Chogilushonyu), 13 at Khoaani, 14 at Renong Gaon, and 4 at Khanari (Nkhenari).
‘Summary profile’ of damages compiled by the Karbi Anglong administration put the number of villages affected at 34 as of January 6. This includes both Karbi and Rengma villages. The number of affected Rengma villages is put at 16. Not all Rengma villages were vacated however, a relief worker said. Villagers of Jongpha and Chosenlari did not flee, choosing to stay back, it was added.
The data provided by the administrative head of Karbi Anglong, Deputy Commissioner, BK Buragohain, who visited Santipur today, put the number of families affected at 810. The number of families, whose houses were destroyed by fire, was shown as 130. A total of nine relief camps were sheltering 4054 people. It did not show the break-up of men, women and children.
Only one of the three relief camps in Santipur had a compiled list of adults and children. The camp had 320 minors as of January 6. Rengma relief camps are located at Jongpha, Phentsero (Phencherop) and Santipur, while Karbi relief camps are at Chokihola and Silonijan. The total number of Rengmas sheltered at relief camps is put at 2210.
In addition to displaced Karbis and Rengmas, unofficial accounts state that more than 60 families from other communities have also been affected, some of whom are either in relief camps or fending for themselves. No information could be had on the status of Karbi relief camps.
The Karbi Anglong DC said that the administration is in the process of assessing damage for rehabilitation. The DC said that government assistance for rebuilding homes will be provided based on the level of damage incurred by a family. The aid will be in the form of Rs. 20, 000 in cash, together with building material for “fully damaged houses” and Rs. 20,000 for “partially damaged houses.” It was not disclosed how the government will rehabilitate those who have lost livestock, paddy and orchards. Asked to comment on the ground situation, the DC said, “The situation should normalise.”
