500 persons evacuated from Churachandpur, 300/400 being evacuated from MorehAll efforts on to protect life and property, assures CM

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, May 8 : The Government is taking up all efforts to protect life and property without discrimination and so far, 20,000 out of 35,655 stranded people  have been evacuated from different violent hit places of Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, Moreh, Imphal East, Imphal West and Thoubal, said Chief Minister N Biren Singh.
Briefing media persons for the first time ever since the violence broke out on May 3 at the lawn of his Secretariat today, the Chief Minister said at present, there are still 10,000 people stranded in different districts and while efforts are on to safely evacuate them, they are being provided best possible care and support.
Even as the Chief Minister was addressing the media, 500 people who were stranded at Churachandpur since May 3 were evacuated to Imphal today. Another 300/400 stranded folks were being evacuated from Moreh.
Around 60 people have died and as many as 230 people have been injured in the violent conflict, said the Chief Minister, adding at least 1,700 houses including religious structures have been burnt down.
Appealing to all sections of the communities not to hinder the evacuation process, he said for safe transportation of the stranded people, the Government has appointed three Ministers, Y Khemchand, K Govindas and Awangbow Newmai to oversee the processes.
"All efforts are being made to protect life and property, without discrimination, across the State. All who are stranded at different locations are being provided best possible care and support in safe locations and shelter camps. All requirements are being addressed," he said adding Power Minister Th Biswajit, has been made in-charge of overseeing relief arrangements.
Health Minister Dr S Ranjan and Education Minister Th Basanta Kumar Singh will give regular briefings to the media.
"The victims are unfortunately innocent people. Let us all strive to bring peace and normalcy in the shortest possible time. Government machinery including all Ministers and MLAs are working round the clock 24x7 to resolve the crisis," N Biren said.
The Chief Minister also announced ex-gratia and compensation for the victims.
He said Rs 5 lakh each will be given to next of kin of the dead, Rs 2 lakh will be given for grievous injuries and Rs 25,000 for non-grievous injuries.
Further, upto Rs 2 lakh will be provided as relief for families whose houses have been burnt down, after assessment by the authorities concerned. Houses that have been burnt down/damaged will be rebuilt, he added.
While expressing grief over the violence that have occurred, N Biren Singh said a high level enquiry will be conducted to fix responsibility on the persons and groups who instigated the violence and Government servants who abdicated responsibility.
Appealing to all not to spread or believe in unfounded, unverified and baseless rumours, N Biren said 50 companies of Central Armed Police Force and 105 columns of Assam Rifles/Army along with 30,000 strong State Police force have been deployed in various parts of the State to maintain law and order.
He also appealed to the public to extend their maximum cooperation to security forces and enable them to execute their tasks effectively.
Superintendents of Police have been directed to identify vulnerable areas, and ensure round the clock provisions of foolproof security and protection of land and property in the absence of their owners with the assistance of the CAPF. They have been directed to take immediate action as per law against persons attempting to loot or occupy such land and property. The Superintendents of Police will be held personally accountable for any lapses in this regard, N Biren said.
Commenting on certain reports, the Chief Minister said 1,041 arms and 7,460 ammunition were snatched from the MPTC and police stations/outposts and so far, 214 arms and 4,273 ammunition have been recovered.
Appealing to the individuals/groups concerned to return all arms and ammunition, N Biren warned that, if not returned, those who are found  carrying and concealing the arms and ammunition will be dealt under serious law and Acts like the UAPA and NSA.
Responding to a query from the media on the Hill Areas Committee (HAC) moving the Supreme Court against the High Court's direction to the State Government to send recommendations to the Central Ministry of Tribal Affairs in connection with ST demand of the Meitei/Meetei community, Chief Minister N Biren said the top Court has asked to initially deal with the matter of bringing relief to and easing present tension in the State.
He lauded the Central Government and the Union Home Minister for responding immediately and said the Centre had sent a Security Advisor and Central Paramilitary Force to control the highly tense and volatile situation.
The incidents that have taken place are most unfortunate and unexpected. It occurred due to misunderstanding and communication gap between the two communities, he said.
He also appealed to all the members of communities, local clubs and civil society organisations to help bring peace and harmony in the State.
Meanwhile, the 35,655 persons who have been moved to secure locations and shelter camps include 1,593 non-locals, mainly students studying here.
The 20,000 persons who have been evacuated /returned to their native places/houses include 1,000 who were moved from Churachandpur to Imphal and 800 from Tengnoupal/Moreh to Imphal.
The 1,000 evacuated from Churachandpur include 500 persons moved to Imphal today.
Assam Rifles and paramilitary forces with the assistance of civil society organisations had brought them to Imphal. They may temporarily stay at the camp opened at Khuman Lampak Sports Complex, prepared by the Youth Affairs and Sports Department.
The 500 include elderly people, children and ailing persons. They also include some students of Churachandpur Medical College.
Before they arrived, the camp at Khuman Lampak was crowded by parents, guardians and family members and relatives eagerly waiting for their loved ones.
A team of doctors including paramedical personnel and an ambulance were also kept ready to assist and screen the people of illness and injuries.
A girl of 20 among the evacuated persons said she had taken refuge at the Assam Rifles' 27 Sector Headquarters at Churachandpur since May 4.
There were around 600 people staying at the camp. While they were at the camp, a person suffering from hypertension and kidney ailment and another person requiring dialysis died, she said, adding the bodies were still there when they left today.
"We hear that some of our people are also taking shelter at another camp of the security forces," she said.
Some people who have been left behind at the camp today were crying.
A woman from Imphal East said there are still people at BSF and AR camps in Churachandpur.
At the time of filing this report, around 300-400 stranded people were being brought to Imphal from Moreh today. Latest reports said they have reached Kakching Lamkhai.
On the other hand, around 500 stranded tribal people were also evacuated to Churachandpur.
They reached Peace Ground, Tuibong around noon today.
The Christian Goodwill Council yesterday visited relief centres opened at security camps located across the district where more than 3,000 Meiteis are seeking shelter. The Christian leaders provided relief materials at the camps. They urged all communities to live peacefully and prayed for the same during the visits.