Thoubal facility for IDPs nearing completion
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Imphal, October 23 2023: Construction of a cluster of prefabricated houses for the people displaced by the ongoing ethnic conflict at Thoubal district's Yaithibi Khunou is almost complete and work on water supply system is being taken up.

Once the water supply system is operational, the temporary shelter complex for the internally displaced persons (IDPs) that would house 400 families would be inaugurated within a fortnight, said officials concerned.

On Monday, chief secretary Dr Vineet Joshi visited the site and assessed the construction activities along with officials of PHED.

Upon the suggestion of Dr Joshi, a water reservoir would be developed by digging a pond within the complex.

Among 60,000-plus people affected by the string of violent incidents since May 3 in the state, who are taking refuge in around 351 relief camps in both the valley and hill districts, some of them were recently shifted to newly-set up prefabricated houses in Sajiwa and Sawombung in Imphal East, Sekmai in Imphal West and Kwakta in Bishnupur district.

The Yaithibi Loukon complex houses a total of 40 units, with 10 families to be accommodated in each unit.

As done at other complexes, every house in a unit will have two rooms and an attached toilet.

Potable water of the units will be supplied through pipes from the overhead plastic water tanks to be installed.

Kitchen areas for the families will be provided in separate halls within each unit.

Dr Veenit Joshi expressed happiness to the fact that the prefab temporary shelter offers better living spaces for the inmates with more privacy and better sanitation.

According to Thoubal DC Subhash Ahanthem, the strife affected victims staying in relief camps in the districts, whose houses have been totally destroyed in the arson at the border town of Moreh in Tengnoupal dis trict, and Sugnu and Serou areas in Kakching district would be given priority to shift at the Yaithibi complex.

The chief secretary also visited the relief camps at Khangabok and interacted with the 210 inmates enquiring about their grievances.

He lauded the inmates for their resilience and productivity that has resulted in producing handicraft and handloom products in association with Manipur State Rural Livelihood Mission, under the RD&PR department.

The livelihood project has, to an extent, become a reliable source of income during their stay in the camp, he said.

He also interacted with the children and distributed simple gifts.

As committed by the government, construction of prefabricated houses has been started in the hill districts of Kangpokpi and Churachandpur districts as well, the chief secretary informed.

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