We can cope with two square meals but the kids can't : Inmate
'Came with nothing but return to what ?'
Source: The Sangai Express / Waari Singbul Network

Imphal, October 20 2023: Despite the Government having taken up different schemes for the welfare of the people taking shelter at relief camps, the displaced Meitei people have voiced the hardships they have been facing after the violence broke out on May 3 .

Stating that money is the only driving wheel to meet their daily requirements, they asked the Government to provide family allowance to them on priority basis.

"Justice has become a distant dream for us", said a visibly perturbed Naba Ningthoujam, co-convenor of Joint Committee on Affected Meitei Victims Manipur - a body formed by representatives of 47 villages from Bishnupur, Tengnoupal, Kakching, Thoubal, Imphal West and Imphal East districts.

We can cope with two square meals but the kids can't : Inmate

Over 60,000 people, who were affected by the ongoing violence that unfolded on May 3 are currently putting up at around 351 relief camps in both the valley and hill districts since then.

Of them, members of the committee are taking refuge at 249 relief camps in the valley districts.

At least 4,786 houses were ravaged amid the violence across the State.

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

Speaking to Waari Singbul, he said most of the inmates are under mental stress and the hope of returning to their respective homes is fading.

"We came running for our lives with nothing.

We know we can't expect the comfort of our homes now but with no job in hand and without any money, our heart breaks to see our children hungry or when they fall sick.

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

Appealing to the Government to provide allowance money first and expedite their rehabilitation and resettlement works, he said that the Government can compensate for the destroyed houses and properties later.

Khaidem Ratan (53), chairman of the Joint Committee, responding to October 10 notice of the Home Department that the Government will ensure protection of the properties of the displaced persons in adherence to a Supreme Court order, said, "it's too little and too late as the damage has already been done" .

Ratan further said that the Government has taken some hasty decisions regarding compensation.

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

We had no idea what the criteria was though it has been removed in the new form" .

Exuding confidence that the proposal for joint assessment involving both the Government officials and the victims of the damaged properties will be a meaningful effort, Ratan added that it is important to be transparent in carrying out the compensatory work.