Riot-hit families body urges monetary allowance
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, October 21 2023: In-spite of the government implementing various schemes for welfare of the people currently taking shelter in relief camps due to ongoing ethnic strife, the affected people belonging to the Meetei community revealed they are facing serious challenge in trying to make a living.

Stating that money is the only driving force to meet their daily requirements, they categorically demanded that the government provide a family allowance on priority basis.

"It seems that justice has become a distant dream for us," said a visibly perturbed Naba Ningthoujam, co-convenor of the Joint Committee on Affected Meetei Victims Manipur - a body formed by representatives from the violence hit 47 villages in Bishnupur, Tengnoupal, Kakching, Thoubal, Imphal West, and Imphal East districts.

Over 60,000 people, who were affected by the ongoing violence that broke out on May 3, are currently residing in approximately 351 relief camps in both the valley and hill districts.

Among them, members of the committee are seeking refuge in 249 relief camps in the valley districts.

At least 4,786 houses were destroyed by the violence across the state.

Naba (49), who hails from the Chin-Kuki-Zo dominated Churachandpur district and whose house was torched by miscreants, is currently taking shelter in a relief camp set up in a college in Bishnupur district.

Speaking to Waari Singbul, he informed that most of the camp inmates are enduring mental stress, and the strength to hold on to the hope of returning to their respective homes seems to be fading away.

"We came running for our lives with nothing, just a single piece of cloth to cover our bodies.

It's trying times, and we know we can't expect the comfort of our homes.

But with no job in hand and without any money, our hearts break when our children demand snacks when they are hungry or when they fall ill.

We can cope with the two square meals of rice and lentils, but the children can't," rued Naba.

"Considering all our plights, we earnestly appeal to the government to provide allowance money first, and secondly, necessary measures to ensure the internally displaced persons return to their original homes and stay there without fear.

Later, the government could compensate for our destroyed houses and properties," he suggested.

"However small the allowance money may be, it could uplift us a little bit from the penury we are going through,'' continued Naba.

In the education sector, two months after the violence erupted, the education department had notified for reopening of schools.

According to a government report, around 14,736 school-going children are internally displaced in Manipur.

Efforts are being made by the state authorities to admit the displaced children to the nearest school.

While he lauded the government's effort, Naba lamented that the helplessness of parents currently taking shelter at makeshift relief camps becomes even more pronounced when their children start attending schools.

"Even though the government says that children are given education free of cost, expenses are incurred on our part.

They have to be fed early ahead of the camp's scheduled time.

Their travel also costs money," he further lamented.

Khaidem Ratan (53), chair man of the Joint Committee, reacting to the October 10 notice of the Home department that the government will ensure protection of properties of the displaced persons in adherence to a Supreme Court order from September, said, "it's too little too late.

The damage has already been done".

Ratan further opined that the government has made some hasty decisions regarding the paperwork for compensation.

He said, "We were confused specifically about the word 'criteria' mentioned in the compensation form.

We had no idea what the criteria were, although the word has been removed in the new form".

The chairman expressed happiness at the timely intervention of the Chief Secretary of the state.

In a recent meeting with the Chief Secretary and the representatives of the victims, the former sought cooperation as well as suggestions on the assessment of the violence-damaged properties for proper streamlining.

Exuding confidence that the proposal for a joint assessment involving both government officials and the victims of the damaged properties will be a meaningful effort, Kh Ratan added that it is important to maintain clarity in the compensatory work process as it involves 5 different departments of the government.

The joint committee was formed in September, four months after the violence broke out.

(Courtesy: Waari Singbul Network) .

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