Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Thursday said the trust deficit between communities can be bridged through dialogue, citing Jiribam district as an example where people from different communities are now living in harmony.
The Chief Minister informed that the government will look into the grievances raised by ethnic violence-affected Internally Displaced Persons to increase the financial assistance for the construction of houses destroyed during the violence earlier.
As part of his continuing efforts to foster peace and build trust among communities, Singh on Thursday visited Kangchup Chingkhong, a foothill village in Imphal West district, and interacted with Internally Displaced Persons. Assuring the Internally Displaced Persons of their safe return to their respective homes and villages, he said that adequate security will be provided after their return.
He also assured the Internally Displaced Persons that a pucca house to shelter security personnel will be constructed in the area soon. Before that, Singh distributed one-time grants to 754 Internally Displaced Person college students under the Chief Minister's College Students Rehabilitation Scheme at Imphal College in Imphal West.
He also visited the injured Tangkhul Naga villagers who are under medical treatment at the Regional Institute for Medical Sciences, Lamphel, Imphal West. The villagers were injured in a recent attack by armed attackers at Sinakeithei under Litan Police Station in Ukhrul district.
Later in the evening, the Chief Minister visited a hospital in Imphal West district and interacted with the two Chiru Naga tribals who were injured in Wednesday’s attack by armed miscreants near Joujangtek in Noney district. He assured that the government will bear all the medical expenses of the injured civilians.
While interacting with the Internally Displaced Persons, the Chief Minister also informed that Rs 1.2 crore had been sanctioned for strengthening the inter-village road and Rs 1.94 crore for the construction of a water supply scheme. He further informed that a market shed will be constructed at a suitable location in the village.
A young Internally Displaced Person told the gathering during the interaction programme that he was touched by the Chief Minister's recent comment that even World War II, despite the use of the atom bomb, ended at the negotiating table. “This word touched my heart, and I stopped thinking in communal lines.
I feel that we all should think of a new beginning by bringing peace,” said the young Internally Displaced Person, adding that everyone in Kangchup village was surprised by the Chief Minister’s visit as they had never expected it. The villagers, who bore the brunt of ethnic violence, said that it was the first time that the state’s Chief Minister had visited Kangchup Chingkhong village.
At Imphal College, the Chief Minister distributed Rs 10,000 each to the 754 violence-affected displaced students through Direct Benefit Transfer to their respective bank accounts. Singh said, “In short, those who are unable to return to their own homes and birthplace are in the most miserable stage of humanity.”
He said that his government is trying to rehabilitate all the Internally Displaced Persons. He also said that job opportunities would be considered for Internally Displaced Person students upon completion of skill development training. The Chief Minister further said that the student community are the most affected during the conflict.
Singh urged teachers and students to work together and take responsibility in the endeavour to bridge the trust deficit among different communities inhabiting the state. Later, the Chief Minister also inaugurated the public reception block and the VIP waiting room at the Deputy Commissioner's office, Imphal West.