Imphal, October 11 2010: Flood relief operation has brought to surface an ugly face in Imphal east district when 376.80 quintals of rice being transported from CAF&PD godown to the residence of minister Erabot with the knowledge of the Imphal east DC for onward distribution to flood victims was blocked late today afternoon at Soibam Leikai Khanglabung.

It was around 4.30 pm, when three loads of rice from the CAF&DP godowns at Sangaiporou heading towards the residence of CAF&DP minister Y Erabot at Khurai Ayangpali road was blocked by a group of people.

No sooner had the people blocked the vehicles, Okram Henry, a projected candidate in the Wangkhei Assembly Constituency arrived with his escort personnel.

While Henry and his escort personnel were in favour of the people blocking the rice from being stored at the minister's residence, a team of Imphal east police also arrived and escorted the three vehicles upto the Imphal east DC office complex.

Eyewitness accounts said that Okram Henry strongly objected the deposition of the rice at the minister's residence and demanded that it should be immediately distributed to the flood affected people.

He even hit the police officers for not heeding his demand.

Amidst the chaotic situation, minister Y Erabot arrived and ordered the police and officials of his department to escort the three trucks to the DC's office and left the place hurriedly.

Police then escorted the trucks upto the DC's office as per instruction of the minister.

Later, briefing media persons at his residence, minister Erabot charged O Henry of trying to hijack the rice meant for onward distribution to the flood affected victims in Imphal east.

Recalling that a high level meeting presided by Chief Minister yesterday decided to distribute 10 kg of rice to each family affected by flood, Erabot said that in the follow up action, authority of Imphal east district transported 770 quintals of rice from the CAF&PD godown today.

Out of the total of 770 quintals, 605 quintals are to be transferred to Sawombung block while the remaining 91 quintals to Keirao block for onward distribution to flood victims, he said.

The rice had been transported with the instruction to deposit 226.80 quintals at the DC's office and the remaining 150 quintal to his house for onward distribution to the people tomorrow, he added.

The blocking is intended to take political advantages and to earn popularity Erabot said of Henry who is also a nephew of the Chief Minister.

He strongly condemned the disturbances in providing relief to the people for the sake of political gains.

He assured that he will ensure the reaching of relief material to the suffering people directly.

It is pertinent to mention here that state government had sanctioned Rs 10 lakhs for flood relief operations in the flood affected areas apart from releasing 5500 quintal rice for distribution to affected families which the government estimats to be 55,000 .

The decision to provide relief to flood affected people was taken in a high level meeting held yesterday under the chair of Chief Minister, O Ibobi.

The decision was taken after the government reviewed the flood situation with top officials, DCs of flood affected districts and ministers.

The meeting also decided to release 5,500 quintals of rice from government stocks for distribution free of cost to affected families, the source added.

As per first information reports submitted by the DCs, over 55 homesteads have been affected by floods in four the valley districts with Imphal east district as having highest number of affected families.

The DCs reports estimated over 18,000 homesteads were affected by the floods caused by overflow and breach of rivers.

They also estimated affected families in Imphal west to be over 17,000 while 10,000 each in Bishnupur and Thoubal districts.

Distribution work of the 5,500 quintals of rice to the flood victims in four valley districts began today by using vehicles as mobile units of distribution.

Priority is being giving to those families residing in the relief camps opened by NGOs, local clubs etc, the official said.

NGOs, local clubs and Assam Rifles also swung into action in providing relief to the affected families.

Assam Rifles, apart from holding free medical camps in flood affected areas, were providing assistance in kind to them.

Meanwhile, the water level in all the rivers have receded and are below the danger level even though low-lying areas of the valley districts are still under water causing widespread damage to standing crops.

State agriculture department is making hectic efforts to access the standing crops destroyed by the flood.

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