"Expedite relief measures for hailstorm victims"
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 10 2024:
The Manipur State Council, Communist Party of India (MSC/CPI) has appealed to the State Government to expedite relief measures for the thousands of people affected by violent hailstorm on May 5, 2024 .
A release issued by M Joykumar Luwang, assistant secretary, MSC/CPI stated that five days have passed since the unfortunate storm but the Chief Minister has said that relief materials including roofing sheets will be distributed in another 4/5 days.
According to the Chief Minister, 15,425 houses suffered damages in the hailstorm, however 15,749 damage report applications have been submitted in Imphal West alone.
This reveals a significant inconsistency in the number of houses affected, alleges MSC/CPI.
MSC/CPI also pointed out the lack of response from the State Disaster Management team in the face of this natural calamity.
Stating that not only houses, but outhouses, grain storage units and various other properties were destroyed by the hailstorm, MSC/CPI questioned how long the Government will continue to conduct their surveys.
The MSC/CPI also focused on the plight of poultry and pig farmers whose coops/pigsties were destroyed.
Highlighting that the Rs 6.90 crore sanctioned for disaster relief will not be enough to meet the required relief measures, MSC/CPI suggested that a portion of MLAs' Local Area Development Fund as well as the Chief Minister's Relief Fund should be used for this purpose.