This time both the centre and the state government deserve appreciations. Announcement of ex-gratia of rupees 5 lakhs each for the victims of the natural disaster at Joumol Village in Chandel district and the decision to compensate those affected by the flood is a good initiative and perhaps, is the first of its kind that the government acted before the public demanded. The central government too responded quickly by sending a company of National Disaster Response Force for rescue mission at Chandel district. It was indeed a sign of caring for this region by the president of India when he shares the pains and sorrow of the people of the state.
The then burning Manipur by the mass agitation for implementation of Inner Line Permit System was partially extinguished with the flood and the landslide cause by the incessant rains. Now government is busy thinking about the flood situation and the mass landslide. The issue of ILP is subsided. One more initiative which perhaps can be consider good for the student community is the opening of the schools from today. Almost all schools open today after the government announced to re-open it from today. However, the sincerity of the government is still doubtful as many policemen were deployed at almost all the schools open today.
On the other hand the JAC formed against the killing of Sapam Robinhood had lifted the banned at Dingku road. The JAC in a press statement had said that the decision to lift the ban was taken for the conveniences of the students as the schools had re-opened from today.
Things are going well and good. The government is blessed. The crisis which was burning the state has been extinguished by the incessant rains. But, What about the flood?
Most of the bridges build at Thoubal district and Chandel district by spending huge amount of fund were carried away by the flood water. Almost all crops and fish farms have been destroyed and many houses were submerged by the water. The water level still is high at many places in Thoubal district even though it has receded at some places.
The collapse of bridges however is not a good sign. It showed how sincere was the government implementing the developmental works in the state. It will be hard for someone to believe that a bridge which was inaugurated in 2009 was washed away by the flood current in this year. It proves that no quality was maintained at the time of constructing the bridge.
Similarly this month showed various misappropriations of quality works at various places and the most surprising thing is the attitude of the government. It was perhaps a good show for the government to immediately response to the devastation cause by the natural calamities but it would be the best show if the government acted by punishing those responsible engineers who had constructed bridge that could be washed away by flood in 5 years. On the other hand it is also true that there was complete lack of quality works to the construction of the Thoubal dam.
If Mr. Ibobi Singh, the honourable Chief Minister of Manipur takes up some action against those, responsible for the lack of quality maintenance then people would surely bless him forgetting the wrongs he has committed in the last 13 plus years.
