Leirongthel Pitra (Manipur), Mar 9 : Uncertainty and fear have gripped people in the remote villages of Thoubal District of Manipur due to constant threats by militants.

Unable to handle the situation, people have decided to leave the villages and have sought the state Government's help for protection from militants.

Leirongthel Pitra is one village in the area which has 118 households and a population of 550 . It is located about 45 kilometers away from Imphal.

According to the officials, United Socialist Revolutionary Army (USRA) and Kuki National Front-President (KNF-P) militant groups are suspected of terrorizing the villagers.

The militant groups have even imposed house taxes upto Rs. 10,000 per household.

The villagers have been constantly harassed with monetary demands, and threatened by physical torture.

One of the villagers W. Achouba Singh said : "They have tortured us in every way. When night falls, we start thinking about where to flee to save our lives. I don't know what to say. I want the Government to take some steps to keep us safe," Achouba said."

Another villager K. Sunitibala said they were very disturbed with the increasing menace.

"We are very scared, and have spent sleepless nights, even when any dogs starts barking, we get tense that the Kuki militants have come again. What to say, our mothers are disturbed and we too are being disturbed," Sunitibala said.

L. Amuchou Singh, a village head, said all the villagers wanted peace and were about to leave the village."All the villagers have decided to abandon the village, and as I am the village head I cannot stay back alone. I don't want to leave the village . I've been appealing, and insisting other villagers not to leave the village. Womenfolk have been guarding the village throughout the night without sleeping," Amuchou said.

The Superintendent of Police, Clay Khongsai , said he had taken every step to stop the militant situation in the area.

"In cases when militants belong to a particular group which has agreed to the suspension of operations, I told the MLA to bring the to the attention of the monitoring group. In the meanwhile, we have strengthened preventive measures. I have also talked to the BSF and our police personnel in airport area including the Assam Rifles about the problem and the need to take certain preventive measures," Khongsai said.

The villagers rely mainly on agriculture and handloom for their livelihood. However they have not been able to work, as they fear trouble from the militants.

Militant activities are destroying their lives and day-to-day existence has become a nightmare for them. (ANI)