No proper assist received : Displaced folks
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 03 2024: A section of displaced people has asserted that the statement given by Chief Minister N Biren Singh on providing Government assistance to people taking refuge at shelter homes on the floor of the House was an exaggeration.

They also said that people including students taking refuge at the prefabricated houses at Sajiwa don't get much assistance from the Government in contrast to the statement of the Chief Minister who stated that the State Government has provided all possible assistance to people staying at shelter homes.

Addressing a press briefing at Sajiwa today, co-convenor of Apex Committee of Victim Volunteers Wangkhem Rabi said that the response given by the Chief Minister on the Government providing free education facilities to displaced students on the first day of the Assembly session hasn't been implemented properly as of yet.

The Chief Minister informed the House that the Government has admitted students at relief camps at nearby schools and also provided uniforms and textbooks to them free of cost to a query raised by Khundrakpam AC MLA Th Lokeshwar but the same facilities haven't been implemented properly, he claimed.

He said that they also have met the Deputy Commissioner concerned over the matter and came to learn that the Government hasn't started providing study materials to students free of cost.

Saying that the Deputy Commissioner instead said that the Government will give Rs 85 per day to the inmates, he added that the meagre amount cannot cover all the expense of study.

Rabi continued that they don't know whether the amount (Rs 85) is for study or other purposes.

He appealed to the Chief Minister to announce who will arrange study materials and free education facilities for the displaced students from Ikou, Dolaithabi, Sadu, Yengkhomang, Leitanpokpi and Mairenpat during the ongoing Assembly session.

Rabi claimed that college students taking refuge at the Government run prefabricated houses at Sajiwa haven't received any benefit of the Chief Minister College Students' Rehabilitation Scheme 2023 till date.

Another co-convenor of the committee Khoirom Dhamen who is a resident of Ikou appealed to the Government to construct the houses burnt in the course of the violence in its original form instead of handing money to the victims.

Convenor of Apex Committee of Village Volunteers Koijam Sarat Meetei said that they want to return to their native places under the protection of Central and State forces.

Saying that the rooms at the prefabricated houses are too small and measure only about nine square feet, he added that the drainage system is also very poor.

Toilet outlets have also broken at multiple points, Sarat continued and maintained that the foul odour emanating from the toilets is detrimental to their health.

Sarat further said that 75 per cent of the inmates at Sajiwa are sleeping on the floor and added that they have been living in such a poor condition since August 29 last.

He appealed to the State Government to implement the assurances they have been given to the people.

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