IMPHAL, May 8: Home Minister Gaikhangam once again made a grey statement regarding the designated NSCN-IM camps in Manipur.
`We do not host any designated camp of NSCN-IM in Manipur nor does the State recognize any noted camp that belongs to them. We shall also continue to insist on the Government of India to respect our position` the Minister said.
Home Minister Gaikhangam said this while flagging off the Youth Disaster Response Team, Manipur`™s initiative to provide relief materials for earthquake affected people in Kathmandu, Nepal from Kangla Uttra Shanglen Courtyard today.
A 30 member team from the Northeast including 11 from Manipur and others from other Northeastern states will head for Kathmandu by road.
Speaking at the function the Minister said, `We appreciate this noble gesture to show our solidarity and concern to Nepal. Nepal is not merely our neighbouring country but we share a good rapport and sustain healthy political relationship with them. The state government is also initiating assistance for the victims,` he added.
The team has started pooling relief immediately after Nepal was hit by a massive earthquake measuring 7.9 on the Richter Scale on April 25, said K. Kanarjit Singh, chief-de-mission.
Regarding the state`™s preparedness, Jason A Shimray, IAS, Secretary Relief and Disaster Management, GoM said, our state has 10 Team Operational Centres and have 35 trained personnel and has been conducting mock drills across the State.
Manipur being a seismic zone we should be mindful of our architecture and follow the government`™s guidelines in building structures, he suggested, speaking to IFP at the sideline.