Flood affected villagers awaiting Govt relief
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 25 2016: Flood affected people of five villages of Keirao AC are peeved over delay in Government's response towards providing relief and assistance.

Speaking at a press conference held at Manipur Press Club, Relief Committee for Flood Damage convenor Md Allauddin said that the villagers would be compelled to stage agitation against the Government if the much-needed assistance is not provided immediately.

He said that around 1000 houses and 520 paris of agricultural land of Kiyamgei Muslim, Oinam Loukol, Urup Khunou, Urup Arapti and Lingchit Loukol were submerged in flood water due to a massive breach of Imphal river embankment at Kiyamgei Oinam Loukol at around 8 pm on May 21 night.

He further said that the flood also partly affected Konyaithabi, Keirao Makting and Urup villages.

Md Allauddin said that as the water level was constantly increasing, some villagers called up the office of IFCD-I (Khoyathong) and informed about the impending danger at around 2 pm on May 21 .

However, the Department failed to respond to the people's alarm, he lamented.

As a result, a large portion of the eastern embankment of Imphal river breached at around 8 pm the same day although people were trying to prevent it by putting in all possible efforts and resources on their own, he said.

Even after 1000 houses were damaged and several paris of agricultural land submerged, no official from IFCD visited these villages, Allauddin said.

Later, the helpless villagers formed a relief committee and tried to approach IFC Minister the next day, he said.

However, the villagers could not meet the Minister as he was on a tour to Moreh that day, he said.

The worried villagers then knocked at the door of Imphal DC.

However, he was also not available in his office, Allauddin said.

The villagers then met Chief Secretary O Nabakishore and informed him all their woes, he said.

Allauddin said that the Chief Secretary sent PHED teams to distribute drinking water and mobile teams of CMO Imphal East to distribute medicines to the affected villagers.

He said that they strongly condemn the local MLA as he has not visited the affected villagers till date.

Maintaining that they also condemn the Government for its insensitivity towards people's woes Allauddin said that they would launch an agitation if they are not provided relief and assistance immediately.

Meanwhile, a statement issued by the relief committee said that ration items, monetary assistance and some relief materials have been provided by PHED, IFCD, Imphal East DC, Imphal East CMO and many other individuals.

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