GOVERNMENT PLANS TO SHUT RELIEF CAMPS BY DECEMBER
Manipur chief secretary Prashant Kumar Singh said there is no confirmation on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit in the state, even as he claimed gradual return of peace in the state while spelling out various government initiatives for resettlement of the internally displaced persons (IDPs) on Friday.
Responding to various queries from the reporters on the sideline of an event at Hotel Imphal in Imphal, the chief secretary said that so far there was no confirmation on the visit of the Prime Minister in the state.
Recently, some sections of the media reported that the Prime Minister is likely to visit Manipur during the current month of July. The reports expected the Prime Minister’s visit before the Monsoon session of Parliament due to commence by July 21. Modi is currently on a five nation tour from July 2 to July 9.
“The state government has not received any official communication regarding such a visit so far,” Singh said, adding, “Not that we are aware of. Expectation is there but nothing has come as of now.” Responding to other queries, the chief secretary said that the state government has plans to shut down all the relief camps sheltering IDPs of the violent crisis unfolding in the state by December and that resettlement of IDPs will take place in three phases – July, October and December,
He said that with the first phase being implemented, the IDPs who can immediately return to their respective localities have already started returning homes from the current months.
The steps for resettlement of the IDPs were taken up after a series of discussions with the Central government through the Union ministry of home affairs.
“We have had a good round of discussions amongst ourselves and with the central government and with the ministry of home affairs and come up with a three phase plan,” he said.
First round will go by July, second by October and the third round by December.” Singh claimed that the number of IDPs has decreased from 62000 to 57000 with some including from Churachandpur and Kangpokpi already returning homes. “Yesterday we took stock of IDPS returning to their homes in Churachandpur and Kangpokpi,” he said. Regarding the resettlement initiatives initiated by the government, the chief secretary said that the government will give Rs 1.3 plus 1.73 lakhs to those whose houses were destroyed completely, so that they can build their houses.
The second is where some 7000 people have fled the houses but the houses have not been damaged. But after two years of neglect, it has been dilapidated which would need monetary help for repairing and rejuvenation, he said.
“Even after December, somewhere around 8000 to 10000 will not be able to go back (to their original places) immediately. Like some who have come from Moreh, Churachandpur or Kangpokpi will not be able to go back.”
“They will be allowed to stay in prefabricated houses,” he said, adding that additional 1000 pre-fabricated houses were also being built. Those who cannot return for the time being will be accommodated in the government constructed prefabricated houses.
“We have a plan to shut all the relief camps by December (2025),” he said.
On queries about free movement of all in the state, Singh said “movement is likely to happen very soon. Everybody is working, the Central government, the state government, the CSOs and the leaders.”
The chief secretary claimed that the overall situation in the state was improving except for one or two things.
“Things are improving…..one or two things apart. Farming is going on. I am glad to share that both sides are farming together, I mean, within eyeball to eyeball distance and sharing water. That’s a very good sign,” he said, adding that the government has been appealing to the CSOs to maintain calm.
“One or two incidents can happen here and there. Mischievous elements are everywhere,” he added.
On the question of the recent government initiative on issuance of Aadhaar, PK Singh said the state has tightened the process of Aadhaar issuance for adults and directed all police stations to intensify operations to detect and identify illegal immigrants across the state.
“Now, Aadhaar enrolment requires mandatory physical verification to ensure proper scrutiny. We are taking stringent measures to prevent misuse of Aadhaar. Physical verification will be compulsory before Aadhaar is issued to adults,” Singh said.