IMPHAL, January 10: We are ready to relocate to a safer location in the wake of the January 4 earthquake, but need financial assistance from the government, said BT Majathui, a primary school teacher of New Kabui Khullen Primary School of Kabui Khullen Part I which was at the epi-centre of the earthquake, reacting to suggestions from Manipur University experts to shift to safer places before monsoon.
Kabui Khullen Part I is one of the oldest villages of the district and is inhabited by the Inpui tribal community.
He was speaking to a team of MLAs and media persons led by local MLA Janghemlung Panmei who visited the village yesterday. The other MLAs include Sekmai MLA Kh Devendro Singh, Saikot MLA TN Haokip and Sagolband MLA RK Imo Singh. The team was also accompanied by DC Tamenglong, SDO and ADC.
The school teacher said experts have advised them to shift to a safer location before the monsoon as the place is likely to become more unsafe.
The village, he said is inhabited by 56 families with a total population of around 385 including around 120 children. The tremor has badly affected 10 houses and another 33 houses have been left near to collapse stage and unfit for occupancy, he lamented.
He said the best relocation site for the villagers could be in between Kabui Khullen Part I and Part II, but it is possible only if the government could extend financial support, for which the villagers have already submitted a memorandum to the concerned.
With the rains drizzling for some time, the team which included media persons found it a challenging and daunting task yesterday to reach the epi-centre as the vehicles equipped with special gears or four wheel drives had to struggle to their limit to reach the village.
The village is about 30 km from Noney Bazar.
Primary Health Centre Haochong MO Dr Jendum Golmei said the centre received six persons with injuries incurred during the quake.
He said the six include 91 year old Karongthong who also happens to be the oldest person of the village. All six are still bed-ridden, he added.
Addressing the villagers, Janghemlung Pamei said the MLAs from different Assembly constituencies were there to share the grievances of the people and see first-hand the plights of the villagers.
He said he will report the issues to the government so as to take further action and solve the hardships of the people.
He further assured to pressure the State government to act on the memorandum submitted by the villagers for financial support for relocation of the village.
The government will support the relocation process of the village, he assured the villagers and said it would be better to first identify an area where there is sufficient water for proper rehabilitation of the village.
RK Imo later while addressing media persons said deputy Speaker MK Preshaw was unable to join the tour but had expressed his grievances and provided some financial help.
He continued 25 Congress MLAs have already donated their one month salaries for the quake victims.
He further called for unity in supporting those affected instead of playing the blame game during such a difficult time.
Such unity will also help in building a stronger Manipur, he observed.
This is also not the time to work for political gains, but for unity, he added.
It is unfortunate and quite funny, that some political figures are pressuring for CBI investigation in earthquake damages, he added.
It would be like filing a case against an ‘Act of God’ he joked.
It is not only the government structures that incurred damages, but several private properties were also badly affected, he added.
He said his own house at Sagolband had suffered some damages during the quake, but cannot complain about it to the CBI or the NIA.
Meanwhile, the MLAs also distributed relief materials including 50 bags of rice, 10 bags of dal, 2 bags of salt, 2 bags of sugar and 70 pieces of blanket to the Kabui Khullen part I villagers.
The January 4 early morning quake had jolted Manipur and was felt in the entire region.
Earlier on January 8, during a relief material distribution programme at Noney part I located just 18 kms from the epicentre, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam had confirmed nine quake related deaths.