Chief secretary Joshi briefs ground situation to governor Uikey

Imphal: Manipur chief secretary Dr. Vineet Joshi, met governor Anusuiya Uikey at Raj Bhavan on Tuesday to brief on the development of the present ground situation in Manipur.

The chief secretary updated various initiatives and programmes taken up by the state government for relief and rehabilitation of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and measures for restoring peace and normalcy.

On being asked by the governor regarding the availability of essential commodities in affected areas, Joshi informed that efforts are being made by the state machinery and security forces to ensure free flow transportation of essential goods in all the districts mainly the violence-hit districts. He said prices of essential commodities are now under control and district commissioners are keeping an eye on it.

All the schools are now re-opened barring few schools which are being used as relief camps and attendance of the students have also increased by 10 percent. For those schools that cannot be re-open in hill districts at present, alternative mode of learning has been planned to be implemented soon, he added.

He continued that higher education of medical students from hill districts have been badly affected, who were previously studying in JNIMS, RIMS and Shija, talks are going on with the Health ministry officials for recommencement of normal classes for the students.

Highlighting on the introduction of Chopper services from Churachandpur to Aizwal and Kangpokpi to Dimapur, the chief secretary also informed about the progress of pre-fabricated houses that are being constructed in Churachandpur and Kangpokpi districts.

The governor instructed for completion of the pre-fabricated houses at the earliest to ease some of the problems faced by the IDPs in relief camps.

Joshi updated that experts have been consulted to provide nutritious food for children and lactating mothers in relief camps.

The governor was informed of the efforts of state government through concerned departments for reconstruction of lost or destroyed documents and cards of various categories such as bank passbooks, CMHT cards, Ayushman bharat cards, ration cards, old-age pension cards, Aadhaar card etc of persons, who have been displaced from their native villages and are now taking shelter in relief camps. On this, the governor stated that her office have already written to all the governors to look into issues faced by the students of Manipur stationed/shifted to their respective states, who lost their original documents due to the ethnic clash in Manipur.

To ensure medical facilities for all the affected ones, nine specialized doctors were requisitioned by the Government of India and were sent at Kangpokpi, Churachandpur and Moreh, Josh said.

Government of Manipur is planning for second series of financial assistance of Rs 1000 to all the affected persons staying in relief camps and the process of distribution will be commencing soon as already 5 months have passed since the last financial assistance was extended, the chief secretary added. He continued that DCs have been instructed to make suitable arrangements for test centre for computer classes and highlighted the skill development programme started in almost all relief camps. Issues pertaining to disposal of dead bodies, ex gratia to affected families were also discussed.

As cooperation of the masses is required for bringing amicable solutions, the governor reiterated the need for dialogue between the two communities in conflict to restore peace and normalcy in Manipur. She urged the need for convincing and motivating the people not to resort to any forms of violence and reiterates that normal/innocent people in both the communities wants peace.

She suggested for opening helpline number for the people to voice their personal opinions, views and suggestions to the government.

Highlighting the continuous efforts extended through governor’s secretariat, the governor said that she will further extend maximum assistance for those affected by the ongoing strife in Manipur. She said she will soon visit relief camps located in peripheral areas.