IMPHAL — Manipur government began the process of handing over pre-fabricated temporary shelter houses to the violence-affected displaced families in the state today.
The state chief minister, Biren Singh, accompanied by forest ministers, Biswajit; Urban Development minister, Khemchand; Health minister, Dr. Ranjan; Transport minister, Vashum; Social Welfare minister, Dingo and MLAs including Arunkumar, Shanti, Kunjeshwar, Ibomcha, Shyamkumar and Deben and officials were present at the handing over function at the Sajiwa jail complex, about 8 km northeast of state capital under Imphal east district.
[bsa_pro_ad_space id=1]Benefits under different schemes were also distributed to the displaced families during the day’s gathering.
Speaking on the occasion, Biren Singh said that the step has been taken up by the government on a temporary basis to accommodate the displaced families until the permanent houses are constructed.
Biren informed that the temporary shelter homes were constructed at a total cost of around INR 149 crore of which an amount of INR 101 crore had already been disbursed from the Prime Minister’s Office through the Union Home Minister.
He maintained that the state government had been putting in every effort to restore normalcy in the state.
The temporary shelter houses, which have two bed rooms, one washroom, a common kitchen and common dining hall, were constructed by Manipur Police Housing Corporation Ltd at eight places including Yaithibi Khunou, Sawombung, Sajiwa and Kwakta.
The pre-fabricated temporary shelter houses at Sajiwa would accommodate nearly 400 displaced families from two violence affected villages namely Ekou and Dolaithabi in Imphal East district.
The displaced families of above mentioned villages have been taking shelter at different relief camps in the state after their houses were reduced to ashes when the violence broke in early May this year.
He informed that the displaced families from other relief camps would also be shifted to the temporary shelter houses within the next 10 to 15 days.
More than 50,000 displaced people are presently taking shelter in over 350 relief camps. More than 150 people were also killed in the conflict.
Similar temporary shelter houses would also be constructed in Kangpokpi and Churachandpur districts.