Affected families cry for justice
Source: The Sangai Express

Senapati, September 27 2019: 25 families affected by the recent incident and arson at Makhan villages during which18 houses were burnt down by the suspected Northern Maram People's Organisation on September 17, cried out for justice in the earliest possible time so that they can return to their normal life, reports our correspondent.

Altogether, 18 houses including 14 shops including both small and big shops were gutted in the fire which happened in the wee hours of September 17 affecting 25 families from Makhan villages causing damages of properties which is estimated at around Rs 1,48,73,000 .

Affected families cry for justice

Speaking to this correspondent, one of them shared his quantum of loss in the fire where cash amounting to more than Rs 13 lakhs were destroyed in fire which is kept to build his house apart from other properties kept in the building.

It has been reported that 19 utensil sets, 2 cock tents, 10 towels, 10 mosquito nets, candles and soap were reportedly donated by Indian Red Cross Society to the hapless families while District Administration, Senapati also donated cash amounting to Rs 40,000, 10 Cock tents, 10 bags rice, salt, sugar, tea leaf, pulses, etc.

ADC, Senapati also donated cash amounting to Rs 1 lakh, 50 bags rice, 10 bags pulses, 5 bags salt.

Tribal Affairs & Hills Department, GoM too donated cash of Rs 3,60,000, 19 tents, 30 utensils sets as reported by the affected families.

N Kayisii, Minister, Tribal Affairs & Hills and Fisheries, GoM; Losii Dikho, Minister, PHED, Printing & Stationary, GoM; Dr Lorho S Pfoze, MP Lok Sabha (Naga Peoples Organization, Senapati); Tennyieme People's Organization, Mao Council and various CSOs of the district, Senapati District Drivers Association, Churches from different denominations, village authorities of different tribes, individuals and well wishers also reportedly visited and donated in cash and kinds to the affected families.

Chief Minister N Biren Singh had also assured the people of Makhan to book the culprits involved in the arson following which the Makhan People's organisation had temporarily suspended their proposed indefinite bandh.

However, there is no report of the ministerial team from the GoM other than the local minister, N Kayisii, Minister TA & Hills/Fisheries to have visited the site officially till filing of this report.

The Makhan People's organisation is reported to go to any form of democratic agitation if their demands are not fulfilled before October 5.Talking to the newsreporter on visiting the spot, the affected families mentioned that lack of drinking water prevails at the area as the main water pipeline was destroyed on that fateful day.

CrPC 144 is still enforced at Maram bazaar and Makhan Khuman with tight security on duty.

Personnel from IRB, state police force consisting of the Mao Police Station, Tadubi Police Station and Senapati Reserve Line are on duty day and night at the areas.

So far, no untoward incident is reported at the time of filing this report.

Police commando and women police who were sent from Imphal had reportedly left for Imphal yesterday with situation calming down.