Ethnic violence has forced many to remain away from their homes: Manipur CM

Imphal, July 6 (IANS) Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Monday said it was unfortunate that many people are still unable to live in their own homes because of the ethnic violence that has affected the state.

Distributing financial assistance to violence-affected Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), the Chief Minister said the prevailing situation has forced many families to endure the hardship of living away from their homes for a prolonged period.

Khemchand Singh handed over financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh each to 26 IDPs residing at the Lamboikhongnangkhong Relief Camp in Imphal for their urgent medical treatment. The beneficiaries are suffering from chronic ailments, including kidney diseases, cancer, and other serious illnesses.

The Chief Minister distributed the financial assistance while attending a programme organised for the disbursement of medical aid to seriously ill IDPs at the Manipur Trade Expo Centre Relief Camp at Lamboikhongnangkhong in Imphal West district.

In his remarks on the occasion, he said the state government is providing financial assistance to violence-affected Internally Displaced Persons to help them cope with the challenges they continue to face during these difficult times. He said special financial support is being extended to IDPs suffering from chronic diseases so that they can receive timely medical treatment without additional financial hardship.

The Chief Minister further said that Monday’s distribution of financial assistance was not the end of the government’s support to the displaced families and assured that every possible assistance would continue to be extended to IDPs suffering from chronic illnesses in the future.

He stressed that the decision to provide financial assistance was taken with the belief that it would help ease the hardships faced by the IDPs, who are already enduring the trauma of being unable to return to their homes.

On the occasion, Rajya Sabha member Adhikarimayum Sharda Devi said weaving machines and assistance for other allied livelihood activities would be provided to women residing at the relief camp to help them become economically self-reliant.

The programme was attended by MLA Sanasam Premchandra Singh, Imphal West Deputy Commissioner Mayanglambam Rajkumar Singh, senior government officials and a large number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

Following the outbreak of ethnic violence in Manipur in May 2023, around 60,000 people from both the Imphal Valley region and the hill districts were forced to flee their homes and villages. A majority of them continue to live in relief camps across different parts of the state. However, a few hundred displaced people have since returned to their homes. The state government has facilitated their rehabilitation by arranging accommodation where required and providing adequate security.

–IANS

sc/vd