Our Correspondent
Imphal, July 20(EMN): A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Northeastern Frontier Railways (NFR), Noney district administration and Makhuam Village Authority (MVA) here in connection with recent massive landslide in Noney district on Wednesday, in the presence of Chief Minister N Biren Singh, Relief and Disaster Management Minister Awangbow Newmai and Chairman Diganglung Gangmei of Hill Area Committee besides others.
The MoU was signed by Chief Engineer Sandeep Sharma of NFR Sandeep Sharma, DC Haulianlal Guite of Noney District and Chairman Lanranglung Gondaimei of MVA.
The MoU was regarding the charter of demands put forth by the Makhuam Village authority in the matter of addressing issues arising out of the recent massive landslide that occurred at Maranching, Noney District.
As per the MoU, the Railways would ensure providing contractual employment at one of its construction agencies near the site until a permanent employment could be provided to the next of kin. The Railways with Noney/Kangpokpi District Administration and the village authority would jointly survey and assess the extent of the damage done and submit the same to Railways for compensation.
The other points of understanding include the Railways to hold extensive discussion with IIT Guwahati, Manipur University and other like-minded institutions to have a detailed investigation for working out how the hill slopes adjacent to Railways boundaries in the Jiribam-Imphal project can better be monitored, so that early warning can be given for any future untoward event. Environment Impact assessment (EIA) and Social Impact Assessment (SIA) will be revisited in the light of this landslide.
According to the MoU, the Railways will also provide for the funeral expenses that may be incurred in the customary rites of burial and cleansing by the Makhuam village authority. Further, the three children orphaned by the landslide will be provided educational fees which will be deposited in their respective next of kin’s bank accounts so that their education may continue till graduation uninterrupted; and the children will also be put up in the Rengpang Residential School first.
Briefing media after signing the MoU, Biren Singh thanked everyone involved in the search and rescue operation for their tireless efforts to trace the missing bodies. Recalling the unfortunate landslide at Maraching area that happened in the midnight of June 29, he said a total of 79 persons were victims of the incident while 18 injured persons were rescued. He said out of 61 missing bodies, 56 bodies had been recovered during more than 20 days of search and rescue operation and five are still missing.
Earlier, the state government had announced ex-gratia of INR 5 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased and INR 50,000 for the injured persons.
He mentioned that after thorough discussion with all the stakeholders, the Government had decided to officially close the rescue operation today. However, individual efforts to retrieve the missing properties, machineries, etc could still be carried on by any organisation or agency, he added and assured that the Manipur government would take up all necessary steps for the deceased and the injured persons.
Prior to signing of the MoU, Biren Singh chaired a meeting with all stakeholders including Minister Awangbow, Chairman Diganglung Gangmei of HAC, Additional Chief Secretary MH Khan,DC and SP Noney, President of RNYO, NDRF Commander and representatives of Makhuam Village Authority to discuss on each issue flagged by Makhuam Village Authority.
More than 700 personnel from various organisations were engaged in the Search and Rescue Operation (S&R) with more than 43 machines. In addition, INR 30 lakh was also sanctioned for management of the S&R operations. For those cases, where the bodies are still not found consisting of one Territorial Army, three villagers and one VSC, the ex-gratia may be paid after observing necessary enquiry and formalities