Goverment provides relief, Deputy CM appeals for calm
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 04, 2013: The State Government today provided immediate relief materials to the people of Silent village whose houses were burnt down by people of a neighbouring village following a land dispute.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam has appealed to all the people to remain calm.

Tribal Affairs and Hills Parliamentary Secretary Victor Keishing, MLA Yamthong Haokip, TD Director Lunminthang Haokip went to Silent village today and distributed rice, GI sheets, potatoes, dal, sugar etc to the arson victims.

Interacting with the villagers there, Victor Keishing stated that yesterday's incident had no shade of communal conflict.

It was clearly a case of land dispute between two neighbouring villages.

He said that the Government would take up definite actions in connection with the May 3 incident.

He appealed to the villagers to maintain calm and keep away all thoughts of revenge.

Yamthong Haokip too appealed for maintaining peace.

He stated that the Government has taken up necessary security measures.

Senapati Deputy Commissioner Pradip Kumar Jha too came to the village and distributed rice, tarpaulin and blankets to the victims.

Imphal East SP Kamei Romanus Angam also donated rice to the victims.

Government officials assessing the situation in Silent village in the aftermath of the attack

Meanwhile, Senapati district administration has initiated due process to build a house each under IAY for the families whose houses were burnt down yesterday.

Moreover, they have been given Rs 10,000 each as immediate relief measure.

To avert any further violent incidents, a strong police team has been stationed at Silent and adjoining villages.

Meanwhile, district administration has clamped restrictions in the area under Section 144 of CrPC.

On the other hand, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam while terming the May 3 outrage as unfortunate, appealed to all the people to resolve the issue at local level, rather than painting any communal colour.

Maintaining that some anti-social elements incited the villagers with a sinister design to disrupt the cordial relationship shared by different communities, Gaikhangam asserted that all the culprits would get punishment according to what they did.

To a query if the Government is working on any plan to resolve land disputes particularly at the intersections between valley and hill districts, he said that it is not a serious issue but officers need to discharge their duties sincerely.

The State Cabinet has already discussed the issue.

The disputes arose because official land records and actual district boundaries are not matching.

It is crucial to inform the people about the difference between traditional boundary and revenue boundary.

The Deputy Chief Minister informed that the Government has been working to streamline all these problems.

Condemning the ambush on MLA MK Preshow Shimray as dastardly, Gaikhangam suspected NSCN-IM's hand in the ambush.

He further slammed the practice of burning down houses of people accused of some crimes as well the practice of banishing the accused from the locality together with his/her family.

Nonetheless, Gaikhangam said there is no harm in taking up social or local action in such cases.

Meanwhile, the Southern Tangkhul Naga Union has appealed to all the people not to view yesterday's incident from communal perspective.

But all the culprits should be given exemplary punishment, said a press release issued by the union.