Imphal, February 19 – Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh interacted with displaced people on Thursday following the ethnic violence and assured them that he would not let their suffering be in vain.
Speaking at a relief distribution program for internally displaced persons in Imphal, he said the first step, after the formation of the new government following the President's Rule, was to help IDPs return to their homes peacefully.
He appealed to the IDPs and civil society organizations in the hills and valley areas to cooperate with the state government in overcoming the trust deficit between the two warring groups – the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities – in the state.
The chief minister also said that Kuki-Zo community members who want to visit Imphal for medical treatment would be provided with foolproof security.
Manipur has witnessed ethnic strife between the two groups since May 2023. So far, more than 260 people have been killed and thousands have been rendered homeless due to the violence.
Relief distribution programs were also organized in Churachandpur and Kangpokpi districts in the presence of legislators Paolienal Haokip, LM Khaute, Letzamang, and Deputy CM Nemcha Kipgen.
Singh interacted with the displaced Meitei community members at the program in Imphal and spoke to Kuki IDPs virtually.
These people shared their experiences and hardships since the beginning of the ethnic violence in 2023.
A Kuki girl from Kangpokpi district urged the chief minister to consider her as his own daughter and said she was facing difficulties in pursuing her post-graduation, while a Meitei woman pleaded with him to allow her to return to their home in Moreh border town, according to an official statement.
When the Meitei person from Moreh border town told the chief minister that she had been in the relief camp for almost three years and expressed her desire to see her home, Singh said his government was working hard to bridge the relationship between the two warring sides so that "the fear of venturing into each other's area is fully removed."
"I will not let your tears go in vain," said the CM.
Another Kuki-Zo woman from a relief camp in Churachandpur explained to Singh the difficulties they faced in getting medical treatment.
"There were tears, choked voices and teary eyes when IDPs from both communities interacted with the new chief minister, as they saw 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 program," the release said.
To an inmate of a relief camp in Churachandpur, Singh said that he understood the hardships faced by the people of the district in getting medical treatment, as the majority of doctors in the state are from the Meitei community and advanced medical facilities are located in Imphal.
"There will be absolutely no problem for you all to get medical treatment in the hospitals of Imphal. A few new ambulances have also arrived; we will make some arrangements," he told the Kuki-Zo inmates of the relief camps in Churachandpur and Kangpokpi.
"When BJP MLA Vungzagin Valte was admitted to Churachandpur district hospital recently in a serious condition, I sent two Meitei 'pangal' (Manipuri Muslims) doctors as they did not face problems in visiting Kuki-Zo areas. I will never forget the services rendered by the two doctors, including a woman," he said.
Khemchand said that there were around 8,000 Kuki-Zo students whose studies had been affected by the ethnic conflict, and only 2,000 of them could pursue their studies in other states.
"We need a special plan for such students (6,000 remaining students)," he said.
Khemchand also highlighted financial assistance measures, including Rs 1 lakh per family whose houses were fully burnt during the ethnic violence.
He said that Rs 25,000 has already been released to 9,314 households as the first instalment, and the Rs 25,000 each will be disbursed to another 434 households and Rs 20,000 additional assistance will be extended to all 9,748 eligible households.
"There are certain places where IDPs cannot enter immediately. We are witnessing a gradual return of peace to the state. However, due to the conflict between the two communities, there exists a trust deficit. I appeal to all the CSOs, IDPs and the people of the communities to overcome this trust deficit."
He said the state government is making efforts to ensure that all IDPs return to their native places.
Singh said, "I also appeal to bring love among the IDPs and the people of the hills and the Imphal valley. The government remains open 24 hours to address the grievances of IDPs. We are also working to ensure all of them return to their native homes."
Manipur has 36 communities which have all defended the state since historical times, he said.
"The state is one, and with this thought, the programme is being held in both hills and the valley. MLAs are also working to assist the government," Singh said.
MLA LM Khaute, who attended the interaction programme, raised issues regarding job cards and financial entitlements.
The chief minister stated that special job cards can be transferred between districts through an official process and that pending cases may be submitted through the legislators.