Pact assures compensation, job to local victims' kin
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, July 20 2022: As the search and rescue operation at the site of Makhuam landslide tragedy officially ended on Wednesday, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed among Northeast Frontier Railways, Noney district administration and Makhuam Village Authority at the CM's Secretariat office here on Wednesday in the presence of Chief Minister N Biren, relief and disaster management minister Awangbow Newmai and Hill Areas Committee chairman MLA Diganglung Gangmei.

On the issue of providing permanent employment by the railways/state government to the next of kin of those villagers, who lost their lives, to posts that reflect the next of kin's educational qualification, the MoU agreed that the railways shall ensure one of its construction agencies near the site provide contractual employment until such permanent employment can be provided (which shall not be longer than one year from the date of landslide) .

The railways with Noney/Kangpokpi district administrations and the village authority, shall jointly survey and assess the extent of the damages caused by the landslide in both Makhuam and Pongringlong villages, and submit report of the same to railways for compensation.

Railways also agreed to hold extensive iscussion with IIT Guwahati, Manipur University and other likeminded institutions to have a detailed investigation for working out how the hill slopes adjacent to railway boundaries in the Jiribam-Imphal project can better be monitored, so that early warning can be given for any future untoward event.

A joint site identification team consisting of Noney district administration, railways and Makhuam village authority shall conduct an assessment for a dumpsite of the debris formed by the landslide.

It was also agreed that nomenclature of the railway station onsite shall be changed as requested by the villagers, from Tupul to Makhuam Sub-Station, and Haochong Railway Sub-Station to Makhuam Railway Line in cooperation with the state government.

Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) and Social Impact Assessment (SIA) shall be revisited in the light of the landslide.

Railways shall find a way to provide for the funeral expenses that may be incurred in the customary rites of burial and cleansing by the Makhuam VA.

Site identification for the memorial site shall be done jointly by railways, Noney district administration and Makhuam VA.

However, site construction shall be initiated only after stabilisation of the landslide region and removal of debris.

It also agreed to provide educational fees to the three children left orphaned by the landslide, which shall be deposited in their respective/next of kin's bank accounts so their education may continue uninterrupted till graduation.

The children shall be put up at Rengpang Residential School first.

Speaking on the occasion, N Biren thanked members of various organisations, villagers and CSOs of Maranching area involved in the search and rescue operation for their tireless efforts.

Recalling the unfortunate tragedy that occurred on June 29 around 11.30 pm, he informed that a total of 79 people were affected out of which 18 injured were rescued alive and evacuated to hospitals.

Out of 61 missing bodies, 56 had been recovered in the search operation conducted for more than 20 days and five are still missing.

The CM said that after thorough discussion with all the stakeholders, the government has decided to officially wind up the rescue operation on Wednesday.

However, individual efforts to retrieve the missing properties, machineries could still be carried on by any organisation or agency, he added.

Stating that the official number of people who lost their lives in the landslide is 61, he assured that the state government would take up all necessary steps for the deceased and the injured victims.

Prior to signing of the MoU, CM Biren held a meeting with all stakeholders including minister Awangbow Newmai, HAC chairman Diganglung Gangmei, additional chief secretary MH Khan, NFR chief engineer, Leimakhong Army post's brigade commander, DC and SP of Noney district, RNYO president, NDRF commander and representatives of Makhuam Village Authority for discussing each issue flagged by Makhuam Village Authority.

It may be mentioned that more than 700 personnel from various organisations were engaged in the search and rescue operation using with more than 43 machineries.

CM Biren had also announced ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured people.

In addition, Rs 30 lakh was sanctioned for management of the search operations.

For those cases, where the bodies are still missing, which include one Territorial Army personnel, three villagers and one VSC worker, the ex-gratia may be paid after observing necessary enquiry and formalities which would take 30 -35 days.

Comment