No question of hill-valley divide, asserts CM Biren
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, June 27 2023: Considering the hardships faced by people affected by the ethnic violence, the state government launched the 'Onetime financial assistance for clothing & personnel belonging to those living in relief camps' with chief minister N Biren Singh handing over financial assistances of Rs 1000 each to those people staying in relief camps at Khuman Lampak Youth Hostel and 86 Battalion CRPF at Lamphelpat, on Tuesday.

The distribution programme was also attended by Youth Affairs and Sports minister Govindas Konthou-jam, Rajya Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba, Wangoi MLA Khuraijam Loken, LDA chairman M Asniku-mar, Manipur Building and Other Construction Workers' Welfare Board chairman K Saratkumar, chief secretary Dr Vineet Joshi and other senior government officials.

Speaking at the event, chief minister N Biren clarified that his statement made at Imphal airport during the media briefing after meeting Union Home minister Amit Shah made no mention about bifurcation of hills and the valley as had been reported in some section of the media.

While regretting that he has been misquoted by the media, he affirmed that there is no question of dividing the hills and the valley and splitting up responsibilities.

Since the central forces are required to deal with the SoO militants who are violating ground rules and resorting to unwanted actions, the central government only decided to look into the matter, Biren explained.

The chief minister also regretted that as the ethnic violence broke out all of a sudden on May 3 and the state government was unprepared, the cycle of violence had put the public in a hard situation.

However, the civil society organisations, womenfolk and government officials maintained vigil and prevented untoward incidents from happening to the extreme and saved lives of people.

N Biren also maintained that the government has been taking all possible steps to provide shelter and temporary housing facilities to the displaced people.

Informing that temporary housing facilities are being constructed at different suitable locations, he assured that all concerned would be housed at the temporary housing facilities till the law-and-order situation improves or they could return to their respective homes.

Regarding the financial assistance, he informed that the government after considering the hardship faced by displaced people had taken the decision to provide Rs 1000 to each person taking shelter in relief camps as one-time financial assistance.

The financial assistance will be provided through the respective Deputy Commissioners of different districts.

N Biren further informed the government had been put-* ting in every effort to restore peace and normalcy in the state by using its various machineries.

He also stated that over 40,000 security forces are being deployed in the peripheral villages and urged the public not to believe in rumours but stay calm.

The chief minister also commended the Manipuri women for their support in bringing the state towards normalcy.

It is said the financial assistance was given so that the inmates can buy clothing and personal belongings, Biren said at the Khuman Lampak Sports Complex relief camp, where 106 women and children are staying.

Around 50,000 people are now staying in over 300 relief camps across the state since the violence started early last month.

Mention may be made that the government plans to build 3000-4000 prefabricated houses to accommodate people who had to flee from their houses due to the violence.

"Construction for providing settlement to displaced individuals from Imphal East including Ikou area has already commenced near Sajiwa jail.

Efforts are on to inaugurate it within 10 weeks and accordingly shift the displaced individuals there.

"For those displaced from Churachandpur district, temporary settlement will be built at Kwakta in Bishnupur district.

When the situation improves, all the displaced will once again return to their respective places, " the chief minister said.

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