Biren distributes ex-gratia to next of kin of Churachandpur landslide victims

Imphal: Manipur chief ministerpi N. Biren Singh on Monday handed over ex-gratia to the next of kin of the victims of unfortunate landslide occurred between Saihum village and Santing village, Henglep sub-division, Churachandpur district at the chief minister’s secretariat.

A sum of Rs 5 lakh each were handed over to families of two deceased persons— Buotsai, daughter of Sangkhum and Lalnunzir,  wife of Malsawmlien of Sipuikawn, Parbung sub-division, Pherzawl district.

Financial Assistance of Rs 50,000 and Rs 10,000 were also handed over to the next of kin of five persons who were seriously injured and to other 5 persons who suffered minor injuries, respectively.

On Friday, a Bolero camper vehicle carrying 12 passengers faced a sudden landslide after crossing Saihum village while travelling from Leijangphal towards Churachandpur.

Biren expressed his deepest condolences to the families of persons who lost their lives and also prayed for speedy recovery of the injured persons.

He said the ex-gratia amount of Rs 5 lakh had been given by adding Rs 1 lakh from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund to the Rs 4 lakh rupees which are notified under relevant Acts. He said the injured persons could also avail the benefits of Chief Minister-gi Hakshelgi Tengbang (CMHT) if the financial assistance provided couldn’t cover the treatment cost.

The chief minister appreciated the support of civil society organisations for extending all possible help for rescue of persons affected by such natural calamities. He also appealed to the public to inform the concerned authority if any untoward incident or natural calamity occurred affecting the lives of people.

Biren informed that the state government has a plan to constitute a committee consisting of experts from Geological Survey of India and Manipur Remote Sensing Applications Centre to conduct a survey of land of hill areas to prevent loss of peoples’ lives due to landslides in future.

Relief and disaster management minister Awangbow Newmai, aditional chief secretaries M.H. Khan and V. Vumlunmang, officials of District Administration Churachandpur and Pherzawl and relief and disaster management department also attended the programme among others.