CM assures political solution, crush rebellion, deport outsiders
Displaced families handed over temporary shelter homes made of pre-fabricated materials
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Imphal, August 23 2023: Chief minister N Biren said that the government will bring a political solution to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the state and also continue identification and deportation of illegal immigrants.

The CM made the assurance while inaugurating and handing over temporary shelter homes for families displaced due to the ongoing crisis, in a function held at Sajiwa Jail Complex, Imphal East on Wednesday.

The shelter homes were constructed under the Scheme for Providing Temporary Shelter to Displaced Families for 3000 shelter units with pre-fabricated materials.

The first batch of houses were provided to displaced families of Ikou and Dolaithabi villages, who are taking refuge in Naorem Birahari College, Imphal East.

The programme was attended by power minister Th Biswajit, MAHUD minister Yumnam Khemchand, health minister Dr Sapam Ranjan, social welfare minister Heikham Dingo, transport minister Khasim Vashum, MLAs Thounaojam Shyamkumar, Thongam Shanti, Dr Usham Deben, Thangjam Arunkumar, Khongbantabam Ibomcha, Sapam Kunjakeswor and senior government officials among others.

Speaking on the occasion, chief minister N Biren maintained that rehabilitation of persons displaced due to the ongoing unrest in the state is the utmost priority of the government.

As such, the prefabricated shelter homes which have been constructed near Sajiwa Jail are being handed over for relocation of 400 displaced families as the first phase, he said.

The Chief Minister recalled that many innocent people from both hill and valley regions had been taking shelter in different relief camps following the unfortunate incident that happened on May 3.For relocating these displaced people, temporary shelter homes are being constructed at different locations, he informed.

Biren said that his government will not allow any forces to disintegrate Manipur, which has a history of thousands of years as a sovereign nation.

His government will bring political solution to the crisis and continue identification and deportation of illegal immigrants, asserted the chief minister.

He declared that the government will 'crush' any rebellion erupting in the state with firm hands in due course of time.

The CM said that he is in constant touch with central government leadership, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and union home minister Amit Shah.

He said that a political solution would be reached soon for restoration of complete peace and normalcy in the state.

The chief minister further said that the government will 'crush' any rebellion erupting in the state with firm hands in due course of time.

Calling the crisis as an unfortunate episode, he said that some calamities are unable to avoid.

However, the present crisis started without any reason or rhyme and it has affected thousands of innocent public.

God will not forgive those, who wronged the common people, he said while opining that the crisis has given an opportunity to the indigenous communities of Manipur to rethink their position, their future and identity.

Biren further informed that over 2400 temporary shelter homes are being constructed in Bishnupur, Imphal East, Thoubal, Kangpokpi and Churachandpur districts at a total cost of around Rs 149 crore, of which an amount of Rs 101 crore had already been disbursed from the Prime Minister's Office through the Union Home Minister.

The prefabricated houses are being constructed to rehabilitate displaced people temporarily, he said and added that permanent houses would also be constructed at their original places in the meantime and a survey has been started for the same.

Biren maintained that the government has been putting in every effort to restore normalcy in the state and also to bring back the normal lives of affected people in all aspects.

The situation in the state is coming back to normal, he claimed and said that security personnel deployed in different parts of the state have started carrying out duties at their respective places in an effective manner.

He expressed confidence that normalcy will return soon and gave credit for the same to the support of various CSOs, churches, women's organisations, and other stakeholders.

"The apprehension that there might be gun attacks is mostly gone now.

We believe normalcy will be restored.

This has been possible because of the collective efforts," the chief minister said.

The CM also said that displaced families would be given priority under One Family One Livelihood scheme of the government by providing financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh to each family.

Official teams for the same had been constituted, he added.

He said that 320 houses have been built at Kwakta in Bishnupur district, 400 at Sajiwa and 200 at Sawombung in Imphal East, while 400 such houses were constructed at Yaithibi Loukol in Thoubal district.

Tn the valley, shifting will be done in the next 10-15 days.

We have also started a survey for the construction of permanent structures in several localities," he said.

The chief minister said there will be a little delay in Kangpokpi and Churachandpur districts.

"Two sites have been considered for 700 families in Kangpokpi district.

One site has been identified and ground levelling is almost done there.

For Churachandpur too, a site for construction is almost identified," he said.

Referring to report of NASA's Socio-economic Data and Applications Center (SEDAC), which shows rise in standard of living in Manipur, he also cited various welfare schemes of the state government, including School Fagathansi Mission, Chief Ministergee Hakshelgee Tengbang, Start-Up Manipur and others, as the reason behind betterment of living standard of the people.

The chief minister also stated that people earlier were not able to maintain savings, as most of their incomes were drained towards expenses on children's education, healthcare and others.

During the programme, benefits under different schemes including One Family One Livelihood scheme, Old Age Pension scheme, Chief Minister's Widow Pension Scheme, LPG connection and others were distributed to beneficiaries currently taking shelter at relief camps.

Around 50,650 people of different communities across Manipur were displaced due to the violence and ethnic clashes.

These displaced people have been sheltered in at least 350 relief camps that were set up in schools, government buildings and auditoriums.

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