President's attention sought to address Manipur crisis
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IMPHAL, Dec 10: A memorandum has been submitted to the President, through the Governor, urging her to expedite resettlement of internally displaced persons of both Meitei and Kuki communities during her visit here, said S Kulla, chief convenor, Manipur Ima.
He said this addressing a press meet at Manipur Press Club, Imphal today.
President Droupadi Murmu is expected to visit Manipur on December 11.
During the President's visit, she should expedite and oversee the resettlement of internally displaced persons of both communities to their original villages, Kulla said.
The memorandum, submitted through the Governor yesterday urges the same, he added.
Internally displaced persons are suffering in relief camps since May 3, 2023. They want to return to their normal lives. The Government must therefore allow them to return to their original villages and expedite processes to reconstruct their houses, Kulla said.
The Government had earlier assured to expedite resettlement of IDPs by December. It should keep its promise to the people and IDPs, he added.
Further, the memorandum urged the President to intervene and rescind a recent decision of the Government that reduced and fixed Rs 3 lakh for reconstruction of houses damaged and destroyed during the violence that plagued the State for over two years from May 3, 2023, Kulla said.
The State Government before President's Rule was imposed had fixed Rs 10 lakh compensation towards reconstruction for pucca house, Rs 7 lakh for semi-pucca house and Rs 5 lakh for Kutcha house.
Even as the compensation for houses has been reduced, the IDPs are finding it very difficult to manage their families on a meagre daily allowance of Rs 84. The daily allowance for the IDPs was earlier Rs 100, Kulla said.
For the President's visit to Manipur to yield positive results, she should convene dialogues with members and representatives of both communities to restore normalcy and peace, Kulla said.
The process to bring about a tangible solution to resolve the crisis must be started during the President's visit.
Kulla also flagged and sought the attention of the President on the "disparity" in land rules in Manipur.
While members of all other communities are allowed to purchase land in the valley, the valley people [non-tribal] aren't allowed to purchase land and own land in the hills. Such "disparity" will continue to divide the people, hence a uniform land law must be enacted and allow valley people to own land in the hills, Kulla said.
He further highlighted issues regarding Parliamentary elections for the President's intervention.
People of some Constituencies in the valley and people living in the hills are able to vote in the Parliament elections, but they aren't allowed to contest elections. Such practice and rule is discrimination and denial of the rights of the people, he added.
Kulla appealed to members of both Kuki and Meitei communities to work towards restoring normalcy and create conditions for all the communities to coexist peacefully.
He said this addressing a press meet at Manipur Press Club, Imphal today.
President Droupadi Murmu is expected to visit Manipur on December 11.
During the President's visit, she should expedite and oversee the resettlement of internally displaced persons of both communities to their original villages, Kulla said.
The memorandum, submitted through the Governor yesterday urges the same, he added.
Internally displaced persons are suffering in relief camps since May 3, 2023. They want to return to their normal lives. The Government must therefore allow them to return to their original villages and expedite processes to reconstruct their houses, Kulla said.
The Government had earlier assured to expedite resettlement of IDPs by December. It should keep its promise to the people and IDPs, he added.
Further, the memorandum urged the President to intervene and rescind a recent decision of the Government that reduced and fixed Rs 3 lakh for reconstruction of houses damaged and destroyed during the violence that plagued the State for over two years from May 3, 2023, Kulla said.
The State Government before President's Rule was imposed had fixed Rs 10 lakh compensation towards reconstruction for pucca house, Rs 7 lakh for semi-pucca house and Rs 5 lakh for Kutcha house.
Even as the compensation for houses has been reduced, the IDPs are finding it very difficult to manage their families on a meagre daily allowance of Rs 84. The daily allowance for the IDPs was earlier Rs 100, Kulla said.
For the President's visit to Manipur to yield positive results, she should convene dialogues with members and representatives of both communities to restore normalcy and peace, Kulla said.
The process to bring about a tangible solution to resolve the crisis must be started during the President's visit.
Kulla also flagged and sought the attention of the President on the "disparity" in land rules in Manipur.
While members of all other communities are allowed to purchase land in the valley, the valley people [non-tribal] aren't allowed to purchase land and own land in the hills. Such "disparity" will continue to divide the people, hence a uniform land law must be enacted and allow valley people to own land in the hills, Kulla said.
He further highlighted issues regarding Parliamentary elections for the President's intervention.
People of some Constituencies in the valley and people living in the hills are able to vote in the Parliament elections, but they aren't allowed to contest elections. Such practice and rule is discrimination and denial of the rights of the people, he added.
Kulla appealed to members of both Kuki and Meitei communities to work towards restoring normalcy and create conditions for all the communities to coexist peacefully.