219 killed so far in ongoing clash
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR

Imphal, February 28 2024: At least 219 persons have been killed in Manipur since May 3, 2023, revealed the Government as the 5th Session of the 12th State Assembly today observed a 2-minute silence for the departed souls.

The Session commenced today with Governor Anusuiya Uikey addressing the sitting.

As she highlighted various initiatives that have been taken up by the Government to resolve the crisis, the Governor extended condolences over the demise of 219 persons in the incidents beginning May 3, 2023 .

The Governor said the State Government has been working tirelessly under challenging circumstances to address various complex issues related to the present law and order situation following the violence which started on May 3, 2023 .

219 killed so far in ongoing clash

The Union Government has decided to scrap the Free Movement Regime between India-Myanmar keeping in mind India's internal security and demographic structure of the North Eastern States, she said.

The Central Government has decided to construct border fences along the entire 1,643 Kilometres long Indo-Myanmar border, including a patrol track for better surveillance.

A 10 Km stretch in Moreh has already been fenced.

Work for fencing approximately 20 Km in Manipur has also been sanctioned by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Governor said.

Within the first few days, evacuation of stranded people on both sides of the conflict was taken up on war footing, she said.

During the volatile situation in the month of May 2023, Manipur State Transport Services transported over 4,000 students and stranded civilians to safer places, she said, adding 198 companies of Central Armed Police Force and 140 columns of Army have been deployed in the State to assist the State security forces in maintaining law and order.

Expressing her deepest condolences over the demise of 219 persons, the Governor said ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh each is being disbursed to the next of kin of the deceased.

Highlighting the efforts that have been taken up for relief and rehabilitation of the violence affected people, Governor Anusuiya Uikey said prefabricated houses for the families living in relief camps have been built and schemes have been introduced for construction and repairment of permanent houses which were damaged or destroyed due to the violence.

Students staying in relief camps have been admitted to nearest schools, and they are being helped and given various benefits.

Examinations have been conducted with due flexibility to ensure participation of the students of all districts, she said.

The Chief Minister's College Students Rehabilitation Scheme, 2023 was launched to enable displaced students resume their studies, she said.

The scheme facilitates students' transfer to college of choice, free admission, and provides rehabilitation grant of Rs 10,000 and free smartphones, she said.

The Governor continued that a Commission of Inquiry, chaired by a former Chief Justice of the High Court was constituted by the Government of India to investigate the facts leading to the genesis of the present situation.

A Peace Committee was also constituted to help establish peace and harmony amongst various ethnic groups.

The Government is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that justice is delivered to "our sisters both in hills and valley, who are victims of sexual violence," she said.

The Government of India and the Government of Manipur have signed a Peace Agreement with the Pambei-led United National Liberation Front (UNLF).

This will help the State usher in a new era of peace while encouraging other armed groups to participate in the peace process, she said.

The Governor also dwelt on the issue of drugs.

As the Government launched War on Drugs, in 2023, law enforcement agencies seized 72.9 Kg of heroin, 147.1 Kg of opium, 195.2 Kg of ganja, 111.3 Kg of brown sugar, 155.3 Kg of WY tablets, 33.3 Kg of Pseudoephedrine tablets amongst others.

As many as 288 cases were registered under ND&PS Act and 333 persons were arrested, she said.

In addition, the law enforcement agencies destroyed over 3,010 acres of illicit poppy plantations.

Areas under poppy cultivation are spread to 9 districts in the State, she said.

The Governor also highlighted the ongoing initiatives and the achievements made by the Government in different sectors like Healthcare, Finance and Planning, Tribal Affairs, Minorities and SC & OBC Welfare, Food Security, Education, Power Sector, Agriculture and Allied Activities and Natural Resources, Rural Development, Tourism, Sports, etc in her address to the House.

While exuding confidence that all stakeholders and people in general will contribute towards restoration of peaceful coexistence and brotherhood among the various communities inhabited in the State, the Governor said the State has always been and will continue to be a multicultural place, which respects the diverse identities.

The Government believes in taking all the people along, irrespective of their identity, in the path of development, she said.

After the Governor's speech, Speaker Th Satyabrata Singh clarified that the Governor had mispronounced the word 'Chaokhatpa' as she wasn't fluent in Manipuri language.

Members of the House cutting across party lines expressed their deepest and profound sorrow over the demise of former Governor PB Acharya, ten Former Members and a former Secretary of Manipur Legislative Assembly.

The House observed a 2-minute silence as a mark of respect to the departed souls.

Chief Minister N Biren Singh said PB Acharya was a statesman who worked to bridge the gap between the people of the North East and mainland India.

Senior Opposition member Okram Ibobi Singh also expressed his condolences over the demise of the leaders.

Later, the leader of the House, CM N Biren Singh moved a separate obituary reference on the demise of innocent civilians and the security personnel in the ongoing violence.

The House adopted a resolution to condole the loss of lives of innocent civilians and the security personnel in the ongoing violence and observed a 2-minute silence as a mark of respect to the departed souls.