Imphal: Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh today attended the Distribution of Benefits to IDPs through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) at the Alternate Housing Complex, National Games Village (NGV) Relief Camp, Imphal West. Around ₹33 crore was released today.
Interacting with the IDPs, the Chief Minister said that the first step after the formation of the new government following President’s Rule is to help Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) return to their respective homes with peace and goodwill. He thanked the Governor of Manipur, Ajay Kumar Bhalla, for his guidance in enabling some IDPs to return home.
For the first time since May 2023 when Manipur was engulfed by ethnic violence, the Chief Minister interacted with internally displaced persons (IDPs) of Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities together, both in person and through video conference, as part of the function. The state government today organised a joint interaction programme of IDPs of Churachandpur, Kangpokpi and Imphal West. While the Chief Minister interacted with Kuki-Zo IDPs of Churachandpur and Kangpokpi through video conference, he was physically present at an IDP centre at Langol Alternate Housing complex in Imphal West district.
The IDPs of both the communities opened their hearts out narrating the Chief Minister their plight and hardship they faced in the last three years. While a young Kuki girl from Kangpokpi district told the Chief Minister to consider her as his own daughter and said she was facing difficulties in pursuing her post-graduation, a Meitei woman pleaded with the Chief Minister to allow her to return to their home in Moreh border town. Another Kuki-Zo lady from a relief camp in Churachandpur explained to the Chief Minister the difficulties they face in getting medical treatment.
It was tears, choked voices and teary eyes when IDPs of both communities interact with the new chief minister as they see a ray of hope that they may soon return to their homes and lead a normal life. In fact, it was tears of love and revival of insaniyat (humanity) in the Chief Minister’s outreach programme. When a Meitei resident of Moreh border town told the Chief Minister that she was in relief camp for almost three years and expressed her desire to see her sweet home once, Khemchand said that though he could not give an exact date, his government is trying hard to bridge the relationship between the two warring sides so that fear of venturing into each other’s area is fully removed. “I will not let your tears go in vain,” said the Chief Minister, adding that his government’s priority is to remove the trust deficit between the two communities.
To an inmate of a relief camp in Churachandpur, the Chief Minister said that he understands the hardship faced by the people of Churachandpur district in getting medical treatment as majority of doctors in the state are from Meitei community and advanced medical facilities are located in Imphal. “When BJP MLA, Vungzagin Valte was admitted to Churachandpur district hospital recently in serious condition, I sent two Meitei Pangal doctors as they did not face problems in visiting Kuki-Zo areas. I will never forget the services rendered by those two Meitei Pangal doctors including a lady doctor for their services,” he said.
Further, Khemchand said that there were about 8000 Kuki-Zo students whose studies have been affected by the ethnic conflict. He said that about 2000 of them could pursue their studies in other states, however there are problems with the remaining 6000 students. ‘We need a special plan for such students,’ he said. The Chief Minister also reiterated that any Kuki-Zo tribal who want to visit Imphal for medical treatment will be provided fool-proof security. ‘There will be absolutely no problem for you all to get medical treatment in the hospitals of Imphal. Few new ambulances have also arrived, we will make some arrangements,’ he told the Kuki-Zo inmates of Churachandpur and Kangpokpi.
The Chief Minister said that although some IDPs have returned, challenges remain as fear continues among sections of people. He stated that lasting peace will come only when communities reach mutual understanding. He appealed to Civil Society Organisations from both hills and valley to work together for restoration of normalcy. He urged all communities to live with unity and mutual respect.
Khemchand Singh stated that the special support of ₹2,420 per person is being provided so IDPs can replace worn-out mattresses and essential personal items. He highlighted financial assistance measures including ₹1 lakh per family whose houses were fully burnt; ₹25,000 already released to 9,314 households as first instalment; ₹25,000 first instalment to be released to another 434 households; and ₹20,000 additional assistance for all 9,748 eligible households. He added that those who have not yet received benefits will also be supported by the Government.
He said Manipur is home to 36 communities and stressed that people in hills and valley must live as one. He added that MLAs will visit all 36 relief camps being resided by the IDPs as part of this initiative. He urged IDPs and CSOs to bridge trust gaps and strengthen peace.
During interaction with IDPs at the venue and via video conference, the Chief Minister listened patiently to grievances related to resettlement, pensions, education, and healthcare. IDPs from Nghamun Relief Camp (Kangpokpi) represented by Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen; Torbung Prefabricated (Churachandpur) represented by MLA Letzamang Haokip; Sadhbhav Mandap, Khominthang (Churachandpur) represented by MLA L.M. Khaute and Sadhbhav Mandap, Tuibong (Churachandpur) represented by MLA Paolienlal Haokip joined virtually. MLA L.M. Khaute raised issues regarding job cards and financial entitlements. The Chief Minister stated that special job cards can be transferred between districts through official process and informed that pending cases may be submitted through the MLA.
The programme was attended by Minister Khuraijam Loken Singh, MLA Sapam Kunjakeshwor Singh, MLA Shri Nishikant Sapam, MLA Khwairakpam Raghumani Singh, MLA Losii Dikho (via video conference), Chief Secretary Dr. Puneet Kumar Goel, Commissioner to Chief Minister N. Ashok Kumar, senior officials, public representatives, and IDPs among others.
