Kharam Pallen villagers still await help from Govt
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 04 2015: Kharam Pallen village, located about 36 kms from Imphal along NH 37 under Saitu Gamphazol Block of Senapati district has been left devastated following a hailstorm that lashed the area in the intervening night of January 8 and 9 .

Even as the villagers are anticipating some help or assistance from the Govt, they are yet to receive such help from the State Government or the authorities concerned.

The hailstorm that lasted for about an hour wreaked havoc as more than 30 hectares of banana farm, 10 hectares of mustard cultivation along with several chilly and potato cultivations of the villagers were destroyed.

More than 50 households have been affected by the hailstorm.

Among them 30 households are severely affected, villagers told media persons who visited the village today.

A media inspection tour to the village was organized by Komrem Union, Kharam Union, Manipur and Kharam Pallen village.

"We were expecting help from the Govt agencies when the calamity happened, but they have failed to act", stated R Umsophun, chairman cum chief of Kharam Pallen village.

He further said that the village authority along with Kharam Union, Manipur has submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Chief Minister of Manipur on January 20, to the local MLA, who is also the IFCD Minister Ngamthang Haokip and also to the SDO concerned seeking relief measures for the villagers but to no avail till date.

President of Kharam Union Manipur R Samuel Kharam said, "Though the villagers have asked for help the same has been left unattended" .

He further said that the Govt might have been neglecting them because of being a minority tribe.

Had it not been, some form of relief help must have been provided right after the incident.

He urged the Government to provide some form of assistance to the severely affected families before the onset of the monsoon season, which is approaching.

President of Komrem Union, Lalkhomang Serto, said "When such natural calamity breaks out the Government should be there for the people but their indifferent attitude towards the Kharam tribe shows that the Government neglects the minority tribes of the State" .

He urged the Government to be more sensible to the problems faced by the people and respond quickly.

Meanwhile Khamram Pallen village with a population of about 600 people has been facing many other problems due to lack of medical facility, drinking water and transportation facilities besides the recent hailstorm that wreaked havoc.

The nearest medical care centre of the village is Khumbong, located about 30 kms away from the village.

The 5 kms stretch approach road of the village from the NH is in a pathetic condition which has never been blacktopped and the water supply scheme badly needs improvement or repair, stated R Umsophun chairman cum chief of Khamram Pallen.

He further said that the Kharam Pallen UJB school cannot accommodate students upto class V.He urged the authorities concerned to look into the problems faced by the villagers and take up the necessary steps at the earliest.

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