Imphal, June 26 2009: Members of the Hill Areas Committee, Manipur Legislative Assembly paid a visit to the relief camps opened at Tousem sub-divisional Hqs for the Zeme Nagas displaced from their homesteads at North Cachar Hills by ethnic violence.

Taking advantage of the official visit, Zeme Nagas appealed for drugs and medicines wanted urgently for the many displaced villagers have caught fever while many others have been suffering from diarrhoea.

The five member HAC team led by Chairman Thangminlen Kipgen made a direct assessment of the condition of the displaced villagers taking shelter at Tousem, Abeng and Mandeu relief camps under Tousem sub-division on June 23 .

The other members of the visiting team were Vice-Chairman Thangthuanang Panmei, M Thorii, Morung Makunga and Awangbow Newmai.

Around 137 displaced villagers including women and children were found staying under adverse conditions at Abeng relief camp.

The number of displaced villagers taking shelter at Mandeu village and Tousem sub-divisional Hqs relief camps under similar harsh conditions are 207 and 354 respectively.

Fleeing away from the ethnic violence at North Cachar Hills, the villagers started arriving in Tousem sub-division in small groups from March 23 this year.

The HAC team distributed 70 quintals of rice, two bags of sugar, seven bags of dal, 11 kgs of dry fish, five bags of common salt, 150 numbers of mosquito nets, 150 numbers of steel glass, 400 numbers of still dish, 20 numbers of cooking utensils and Rs one lakh in cash to the displaced villagers.

HAC Chairman Thangminlen Kipgen said that the Rs one lakh distributed among the displaced villagers was sanctioned by Chief Minister O Ibobi.

Addressing the relief material distribution function at Tousem Hqs, Thangminlen Kipgen lauded the local villagers for giving refuge to the displaced villagers and looking after their needs.

He said that many Ministers and MLAs also provided monetary assistance in procuring the relief materials.

Thangminlen Kipgen who was visiting Tousem Hqs for the first time said that his team's visit was not only to take stock of the conditions of the displaced villagers taking shelter at relief camps but also to make an assessment of the development programmes and requirements of the people.

After perusing the memoranda submitted by villagers, Thangminlen all the points would be deliberated in a meeting of the HAC before the same points are forwarded to the Government for further necessary action.

The HAC chairman further assured electricity to the Mandeu villagers in exchange for a perennial water source.

Thangthuanang while appealing to the local villagers to take care of the people seeking refuge there, said that plans are afoot to construct Tamenglong-Haflong road.

MLA Morung Makunga said that a team of the HAC would meet Assam Chief Minister after the Assembly session.

During the meeting, the team would be urging the Assamese Chief Minister to bring a solution to the ethnic strife and also to provide relief materials until the displaced villagers return to their homesteads.

Local MLA Awangbow Newmai conveyed gratitude towards all those who contributed to the relief measures.

He also called upon the villagers to promote peaceful co-existence.

One lady member of the relief committee sought attention of the Government to provide 10 bundles of GI sheets for constructing sanitary latrines and temporary housing sheds, five plastic water tanks of 1000 litres capacity, clothes, kerosene and medicines.

She also urged for stock-piling rice for consumption during rainy season.

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