Governor Anusuiya Uikey paid her visit to the recently constructed prefabricated temporary shelter homes in Sajiwa Jail Complex, Imphal East on Wednesday and distributed relief materials to the inmates who were recently shifted in the said location along with the Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS), Manipur Branch. The governor is the president of the Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS), Manipur Branch.
The relief materials were received from the IRCS head branch, New Delhi after the intervention of the Governor during the General Body meeting of IRCS held at New Delhi on July 17, 2023, the Governor’s Secretariat, Raj Bhavan said in a release.
The governor handed over the relief materials to 190 families which includes two mosquito nets, kitchen sets (meant for families of 5), blanket and hygiene kits which will benefit 704 inmates.
The Governor further extended financial aid and eatables for all the 227 children staying in shelter homes during the visit, the release said.
The inmates at this shelter homes were from Ekou, Dolaithabi, Sadu Yengkhuman, Saikul, Etham and Khuga Tampak, Churachandpur.
Uikey also inaugurated water filter plant installed by UNICEF at the complex and inspected the shelter homes.
While speaking to the inmates, the Governor expressed that temporary shelter homes are very much necessary for the displaced family to stay together and to have some private space. She continued that such homes will not be permanent shelters for the IDPs, once peace is restored, the Government will rehabilitate them in their original settlements, the Raj Bhavan said.
Regarding education for the children, she informed that the state will bear the fees of those displaced students studying in government schools and appealed to the parents to send their children to school as no child should be deprived of their education rights.
She also instructed the District Commissioner, Imphal East and concerned officials to speed up the construction of drainage systems to prevent spread of water borne diseases around temporary shelter homes and black topping of the surrounding areas in the complex.
To cater to the emergency medical help of the inmates, special ambulances along with medical officers must be allotted and also instructed to set up a place for recreational activities, the governor told the DC.
The Governor informed that some financial assistance for the pregnant and lactating women as well as children for availing nutritious food will be extended by the Governor’s Secretariat, the Raj Bhavan said.
During the visit, the Governor interacted with the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) who are sheltered at the temporary shelter homes and said she will continue to extend her support to the affected people. While also assuring to do everything possible for restoration of peace and normalcy in Manipur, Uikey reiterated that the state and central government are continuously working towards bringing amicable solutions for the people.
The Governor expressed that she felt the pain and sufferings of the affected people and understands their eagerness to return to their respective home and urged the people not to resort to any forms of violence and take law in their hand, as per the release.
She appealed to the two communities to come together, negotiate and find a durable solution to end the violence through dialogue and called upon all concerned to extend support for restoring peace and normalcy in the State.
Chairperson, IRCS, Manipur, Narendra Ningomba while addressing the gathering, highlighted the initiative of the Governor in bringing all these relief materials from the IRCS headquarter in New Delhi.
He mentioned that the Governor requested the President of India and Union Health Minister to extend maximum possible assistance to the affected people of Manipur in this ongoing strife, the release said. One proposal which entails the requirements was also submitted by Red Cross Society Manipur to the Union Health Minister in the meeting in Delhi, he added.
