Survivors forced to skip a meal a day
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 21 2024: The inmates staying in prefabricated homes at Sajiwa have claimed that they are on the verge of missing their daily meal as the ration provision has been cut by half.

Addressing a press conference at Sajiwa today, convenor of the Committee of Inmates of Sajiwa and Sawombung Pre-fabricated Houses Khoirom Dramen said that they have been getting only half of the amount of allocated ration since May 24 last and it is not enough to ensure three square meal a day.

He said that they used to get exactly the allocated provision of ration every 10 days before May 24 .

Saying that they, including the elders and children, often go to bed hungry now, he added that they have met the authorities concerned over the matter but didn't get any help from them.

Dramen further said that they met the nodal officer of the prefabricated houses and the SDO concerned but they only suggested them to meet the higher authority and air their grievances.

Saying that they met Imphal East DC Kh Diana yesterday and asked her why the provision of their ration has been cut, he added that the DC told them the Government was managing whatever they can with the available funds.

Further stating that they asked the DC whom they can meet to redress their grievances, he added that the DC advised them to meet the Commissioner of Home.

Dramen asked whether they have to go all the way to New Delhi and meet Home Minister Amit Shah if the Commissioner of Home also gives them the same reply given by the other authorities.

Seeking clarification from the authority which runs the prefabricated houses over the matter within a week, he added that they will launch a series of protests if there is no response and the Government has to take responsibility for all eventualities.

He further asked if anyone can ensure their safety if they leave the prefabricated houses and return home.

One Koijam Sarat said that the IDP from Ikou, Sadu, Yengkhuman, Dolaithabi, Leitanpokpi and Mairenpat have been taking refuge at the prefabricated houses since April 27, 2023 .

Saying that they have been enduring with the little assistance they get from the Government given the situation in Manipur, he added that they used to get Rs 85 to meet daily expenditure other than rice but the same has also been reduced to just Rs 50 since a month back.

He asked the Government to clarify on whose authority the decision the ration and the money for their household expenditure were cut.

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