Violence in Manipur: 3 were killed in fresh violence in Tengnoupal and Kakching districts.
Guwahati:
The Manipur State Cabinet at a meeting led by Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Saturday evening condemned the “undesirable actions” of central security forces against civilians during Friday’s gunfight that left three people dead and over 50 injured. She also decided to inform the Center about the incident.
Key Cabinet decisions assessing the overall situation in the conflict-torn northeastern state included approving the expansion of the ‘Disturbed Area’ under the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act, which grants special powers to the Indian Armed Forces and the State. paramilitary forces in areas classified as “disturbed areas”, for another six months.
A permanent housing program was also approved for those displaced during the ethnic violence, which has now lasted for more than four months. The state will build houses where the atmosphere is conducive for people affected by violence to return to their original living areas. In the first phase, around 1,000 permanent houses would be built at an estimated cost of around Rs 75 crore. Rs 10 lakh will be spent on permanent houses, Rs 7 lakh on semi-permanent houses and Rs 5 lakh on temporary houses.
The fund would be released in two equal installments: 50 percent before construction begins, and the remainder at a later date.
About 4,800 houses were burned or damaged during the violence. More than 170 people have been killed, more than 700 injured and more than 70,000 people from various communities have been displaced, the Manipur government said.
Manipur will also have a compensation scheme for women victims and survivors of sexual assault and other crimes during the ethnic unrest in the state, which began on May 3 following protests against a Manipur High Court order asking the state government to grant Scheduled Tribe status to order for Meities resulted in a full-blown ethnic conflict, the cabinet decided.
Meiteis constitute about 53 percent of Manipur’s population and live mainly in the Imphal Valley, while tribes, including Nagas and Kukis, constitute 40 percent and live mainly in the hill districts.
