Hundreds of IDPs present case to Bpr DC

Our Correspondent
MOIRANG, Oct 1: Hundreds of aggrieved internally displaced persons (IDPs) from 45 relief camps across Bishnupur district stormed the office of the district Deputy Commissioner Pooja Elangbam today.
The crowd of the IDPs began to swell in front of the DC office gate at 11 am.
While the police stopped them at the gate, a 15-member team representing the IDPs was allowed to enter the office and meet the Deputy Commissioner at around 2.30 pm.
During the meeting with the Deputy Commissioner, the IDPs highlighted various grievances facing them and placed several demands.
Churachandpur Meitei United Committee's co-convenor, Naba Ningthoujam said, through the DC, the IDPs reminded the Government of its plan to relocate IDPs, and urged it to effectively implement it.
Notably, the Chief Secretary on July 4 recently had stated that the relocation of the IDPs to their original homes or in Government constructed temporary housing will take place in three phases—July, October, and December.
While urging the Government to effectively imple- ment this plan, the IDPs urged the DC/Government to effectively use DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) for award of subsidies, assistance and benefits of all schemes.
Naba Ningthoujam said the internally displaced persons are languishing in hardships in the relief camps.
Experiencing physical and mental trauma and facing extreme hardships, the IDPs are suffering and cases of suicide and deaths due to heart-attack and other medical emergencies among them have increased, he said. As many as 87 persons, displaced from Chura- chandpur have died in relief camps, he added.
The IDPs want to return to their original villages and homes but they have not been allowed. Until they are allowed to return to their original homes, they must be allowed to stay in Government built prefabricated houses, Naba said.
Considering the hardships IDPs are facing in relief camps, the Government must put in extra efforts to complete the construction of prefabricated houses at the earliest, he added.
Further, the IDPs must be given full benefits of all the schemes meant for them. Monetary assistance, subsidies and other entitlements must be transferred through the DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) and their rights must be protected, Naba said.
The Deputy Commissioner has heard "our grievances and demands" and has given a date to discuss the issues, he said.
Naba said the IDPs will meet the Deputy Commissioner next Wednesday to further discuss the issues.
"If our demands are not met, the IDPs may launch intense agitation," Naba said.