MHA approves Rs 102 crore for those displaced in Manipur
The Union home ministry has approved a relief package of nearly Rs 102 crore for the people of Manipur displaced by the ethnic violence that broke out early last month.
Home minister Amit Shah had, during his visit to Manipur last week, directed the state government to send a formal request to the Centre for a relief package for people from all communities affected by the violence and forced to relocate to temporary relief camps.
Security adviser to Manipur government Kuldiep Singh on Thursday said the situation in the state remained peaceful for the second consecutive day, with no incident of violence reported in the last 48 hours. Combing operations continued in both Valley and hill areas of the state, with 27 guns, 245 bullets and 41 bombs recovered from Porompat police station area of Imphal East district and one weapon and two bombs seized from Bishnupur district in the last 24 hours.
A total of 896 arms, 11,763 ammunition and 200 bombs of different kinds have been recovered till date from across Manipur, according to Singh’s statement. Combined teams of state and central forces have intensified combing operations in many parts of the state.
Curfew was relaxed for 12 hours in five valley districts and for 8-10 hours in the neighboring hill districts. There is no curfew in six other hill districts.
Movement of essential items along NH-37 was ensured, enabling 294 empty vehicles to leave Imphal for Jiribam, 220 loaded vehicles to leave Noney and 198 loaded tankers and trucks to head out from Jiribam on Thursday.
Senior officers too visited or are camping in the vulnerable areas. Strict security measures are being taken to keep violence in check.
Ministers and MLAs from Manipur too have been touring different areas of state and appealing to the public and civil society organisations (CSOs) to help maintain peace and restore normalcy. Security forces are also organising meetings with CSOs, village heads and making appeals for calm, besides carrying out assigned duties like area domination and patrolling.
