IDP Committee contradicts CM's statement in House
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, March 03 2024: Families displaced due to the violence since May 3, 2023 and currently sheltered at pre-fabricated houses at Sajiwa contradicted chief minister N Biren's statement in the Assembly and claimed that they are yet to get educational expenses for their children, mattresses and other items.

In the ongoing 5th Session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly, chief minister Biren had told the House that the government had already provided shelter, educational expenses for the displaced children, mattresses and other items to the violence-hit internally displaced persons (IDPs) being accommodated at the pre-fabricated houses.

According to Apex Committee of Victim Villages co-convenor Wang-jam Rabi Meitei, Khundrakpam MLA Th Lokeshwar raised a question relating to victims of the violence in the ongoing assembly session.

In his reply, the chief minister informed that educational expenses for children of displaced families including admission fee, monthly tuition fee, money for purchasing books and transport fee had been provided.

However, none of the violence victims received the said amount, Rabi Meitei told media persons during a press briefing held at the Sajiwa pre-fabricated houses where displaced families from Ikou, Sadu Yengkhuman, Leitanpokpi, Mai-renpat and Dolaithabi are currently taking shelter.

The Apex Committee is the joint body of displaced persons from the said villages.

Wangjam Rabi further told media persons that representatives of the committee met the chief secretary on January 12 and were advised to consult with the DC, with the latter stating there is no government provision to provide money for education of displaced children.

Nevertheless, the DC appealed to the representatives to manage educational expenses including school fee and transportation from the amount of Rs 85 provided by the government to each of the displaced person.

However, it is impossible for a family to manage food and educational expenses of children with Rs 85 provided by the government daily, Rabi said.

Academic session 2023 for state board had already ended though CBSE is continuing examination, Rabi pointed out and suggested that the chief minister declare the exact amount for educational purposes given to displaced students.

Con tradicting chief minister's claim of providing benefits under Chief Minister's Students Rehabilitation Scheme, 2023, Rabi said no students received benefits of the scheme and government is raising voice only through the media.

Reacting to chief minister's claim made in the House that 100 each personnel of state and central forces have been deployed in fringe villages to contain the violence, Rabi said there has been no deployment of state forces in Sadu Yengkhoman, Leitanpokpi, Mairenpat and Dolaithabi.

He also demanded to know the order issued by state home department on September 27, 2023 while maintaining that displaced families are beginning everything from zero and not hesitant to clean even toilet.

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