Correspondent
IMPHAL, MAY 28: Manipur chief minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Thursday visited a relief camp at Makhan village in Kangpokpi district and interacted with members of the Liangmai (Naga) tribe who were displaced following the recent unrest in the district.
Around 35 displaced persons (including women and children) from Konsakhul (Liangmai) village are currently taking shelter at the relief camp opened at Makhan Baptist Church.
Among them were the 12 women and children who secured safe release from the captivity of the Kuki armed group who detained six out of the 18 villagers they held hostage following an ambush that killed three Thadou church leaders on May 13 last.
While interacting with the displaced people, the chief minister informed that the government was taking the issue arising out of the disappearance of six persons seriously and search and combing operations by security forces were on to trace the whereabouts of the hostages.
He further informed that four suspected persons believed to be involved in the kidnapping of the six civilians have already been arrested.
While sharing the government’s sentiment regarding the hostage issue, he assured that the hostages will be traced out soon.
Later, Singh told the reporters on the side-line of the visit that investigations were underway to nab the culprits involved in the unfortunate incident.
Reiterating the government’s seriousness on the issue, Singh hoped that the security forces conducting the search and rescue operations will surely trace the missing persons.
The chief minister also distributed relief materials like rice, dal, potatoes, onion, edible oil, sugar, tea leaf and biscuits to the inmates of the relief camp.
Singh also inspected the village community hall and discussed with the village chief and district officials on the possibility of sheltering more IDPs.
During the discussion, the chief of the Makhan village and other village leaders expressed their strong concern on the prevailing unrest in the district and informed the chief minister that many Naga in Kangpokpi district had left their villages due to fear.
They hinted at the possibility of increasing the number of IDPs if the persisting tensions escalated.
The chief minister also reviewed the living conditions and grievances of the displaced families and directed the district administration to further strengthen the facilities and support being provided to the inmates.
He instructed the deputy commissioner of Kangpokpi to provide all necessary items like mattresses and mosquito nets.
The chief minister was accompanied by deputy chief minister Losii Dikho, MLAs – Leishiyo Keishing, Awangbou Newmai, Heikham Dingo Singh, Janghemlung Panmei, Khashim Vashum, Ram Muivah, J Kumo Sha – apart from government officials including commissioner (home) N Ashok Kumar, deputy commissioner (Kangpokpi) Mahesh Chaudhari among others.
Earlier, the chief minister was accorded a warm welcome upon his arrival at the guest house of the Makhen Baptist Church where he was briefed by the Makhan village chairman and the Konsakhul village chairman on the hardships being faced by the inmates.