Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh said on Monday that 60 people have been killed, 231 injured and 1,700 houses, including religious places, burnt in the ethnic violence that has rocked the northeastern state in the past few days.
Addressing a press conference here, the chief minister said the state cabinet has decided to provide ex gratia Rs 5 crore to the families of the deceased, Rs 2 crore to those who sustained serious injuries and Rs 25,000 to those who sustained minor injuries.
N Biren Singh says “These are very unfortunate events. I urge people to bring peace as soon as possible, 1,700 houses, including temples and churches, were burnt down during the violence”.
The Chief Minister said that those whose houses were destroyed would be paid Rs 2,000 and the government would rebuild them.
“As a result of the unfortunate incident that happened in Manipur, till date more than 20,000 people have been relocated and remain stuck in relief camps. Another 10,000 more stranded people will be brought to safety as soon as possible… Human lives are precious and the destruction of homes and property is unacceptable,” Singh said.
The chief minister said 1,041 weapons were looted from security forces, of which 214 were recovered. He asked those who looted the weapons to return them to the nearest police station or a “mass combing operation” would be launched.
The government has initiated many steps to bring back the stranded people from different parts of the state like Churachandpur, Ukhrul, Imphal West, Imphal East and Kangpokpi districts.
218 FIRs have been registered against criminals involved in the riots
“Service providers have been directed to identify vulnerable areas and ensure continuous provision of full security and protection of land and property in the absence of their owners. They have been directed to take immediate action in accordance with the law against persons attempting to loot or occupy such lands and properties,” Singh said.
The situation in Manipur is fast returning to normal, says Kuldeep Singh, security adviser to the chief minister. 218 FIRs have been registered against criminals involved in the riots.
Violent clashes erupted in the northeastern state after a ‘Tribal Solidarity March’ was organized in 10 hill districts on May 3 to protest the Meitei community’s demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, leading to the death of at least 54 people.
The Meiteis constitute about 53 percent of the population of Manipur and live mainly in the Imphal Valley. The tribals – Nagas and Kukis – make up another 40 percent of the population and live in the mountainous areas.
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