Manipur Violence: 60 dead, 230 injured, 1,700 houses damaged, says CM Biren Singh

Breaking his silence after almost 96 hours of mind-numbing violence that had gripped Manipur since May 3, Chief Minister N Biren Singh today said that 60 people died, 230 injured and 1,700 houses were damaged in the arson and riots that had sieged Manipur.

The Chief Minister announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh for each dead person and Rs 2 lakh to each of those who were grievously injured in the horrific violence. The state government would give Rs 25,000 to those who have suffered minor injuries.

Upto Rs 2 lakh would be given to every family whose house has been burnt down. The CM, addressing the media in Imphal, also said that the government would build all houses that have been set ablaze.

Talking tough, the CM said that a high level probe would be ordered to “fix responsibility” of “Government servants who abdicated responsibility” and also pin down all those individuals and groups who instigated or added fuel to the violence that spread fast and wide across the hills and valleys of the state.

The Chief Minister said that 1,041 arms and 7,460 ammunition was stolen. Around 214 arms and 4,273 ammunition have been recovered so far. Earlier, Manipur DGP P Doungel had offered amnesty to all those who have stolen arms and ammunition and asked them to return their loot without having to disclose their identity. The DGP had in the same breath also said that those who do not return the stolen arms and ammunition would have to face stern action like they would not be issued passport, driving licence or any other important government document, they would not get jobs and their immediate family too would come under the purview of these stringent steps. DGP Doungel had said that the Manipur police has CCTV footage of all those people who had looted arms from around 7-8 places.

Talking about the situation limping back to normal, the CM said that curfew is being relaxed across the state, however, 50 CAPF companies, 105 Assam Rifles columns along with state police personnel are still deployed to ensure complete peace and calm across the state.

So far 35,655 persons have been rescued. Of this 1,593, mainly students, have been shifted to their respective states. At least 20,000 people of Manipur have returned back to their homes in towns and villages.

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