Imphal, Jul 11 : Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi today said the State Government will construct a home for the widows and children of the victims of encounters at an estimated cost of Rs 20 crore at Jiribam.
The Manipur Government understands the compensation given to the victims of Ukhrul fire that destroyed the Wino Bazar complex was inadequate. the Chief Minister also said this while replying to a question by opposition MLA Wungnaochang Keishing in the Assembly on Friday.
The Wino Bazar of Ukhrul town was reduced to ashes when a sudden fire broke out on March 9 last. Around 39 shops were destroyed while 21 pucca houses were fully damaged besides partially damaging 12 other houses. Properties worth around Rs 9.82 crore were reported damaged in the fire.
However, so far, government has provided a sum of Rs 6.51 lakh as relief out of the calamity relief fund to the affected shop owners and villagers settled in the bazar, Ibobi said and added that his government is trying to work out a programme for the rehabilitation of the fire- affected villagers.
The government also distributed 250 blankets, 150 quintals of rice, 3000 litres of kerosene oil, 200 kilograms of dal, 50 kilograms of salt, 100 litres of mustard oil to the victims apart from opening two relief camps at Mandir and Tangkhul Naga Long Building and organising a medical camp.
MLA Wungnaodhang urged the government to provide loans to the affected villagers. Reacting to another question by opposition MLA Dr Ng Bijoy, Ibobi informed the House that the State Government has already identified 100 acres of land at Jiribam for construction of a home for women and children living with HIV/AIDS. The government is ready to release Rs 10 crore for the purpose, he said. Besides, the government is taking steps to construct a home for the widows and children of persons killed in encounter at Jiribam, the Chief Minister said adding that food, accommodation and education for the children will be made available free of cost.
He said the ex-gratia amount for the families of security forces and also relatives of insurgents have been increased. In the event of death of any securitymen in the counter insurgency incidents, government will provide Rs 3 lakh. Similar amount will be paid to the kin of civilians killed in extremist attack or communal clash, he added.
