Imphal January 10 (IANS) A week after an earthquake jolted Manipur, the people here have started resenting the government apathy, notwithstanding the repeated assurances that they would be provided relief materials.
Both the state and the central governments appear to be fumbling while most of the victims, rendered homeless in this icy winter, said they are compelled to stay at temporary relief camps without any government help. The lucky few are relying on their relatives and friends.
The earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale hit Manipur and neighbouring northeastern states on January 4 morning. Nine people were killed and over 110 left injured. Many families were rendered homeless as their houses crumbled to ground.
The quake-hit viewed the response from the government as short of public expectation.
"Though the earthquake hit the state on January 4 morning, it was only on January 9 evening that Governor V. Shammuganathan visited the damaged women's market which is less than 50 metres away from his residence," said S. Apabi, a vendor.
Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi and others are yet to visit the quake victims.
Deputy Chief Minister and Prasdesh Congress Committee president Gaikhangam is the only elected member who visited the affected tribals in Tamenglong district, from where he was elected to the state assembly.
Meanwhile, hundreds of women vendors have started selling consumer items, handloom clothes and other items on the footpath.
"We are daily wage earners. When we return home with a morsel of rice, our children are waiting for us and the scratch meals," said Sakhitombi, a greengrocer.
"As we have to earn money for supporting the family, we are sitting here. As and when we are allowed, we will shift to the temporary market earmarked by the government," said Bina, who sells handloom clothes by the roadside.
"It is anybody's guess how long the government will take to repair the damaged portions of the markets," she aded.
Chief secretary Oinam Nabakishore had said: "The government has sanctioned Rs.2 crore for rehabilitation -- Rs.50 lakh each will be distributed in the four districts for victims."
Most of the quake victims, however, say they have not received a single rupee from the government.
Some of them even fear some corrupt officials may swindle their relief money.
The state government had sought a central assistance of Rs.20 crore for victims' rehabilitation. However, affected families say so far there has been no response although several central ministers and Bharatiya Janata Party workers in Manipur are claiming many things are being done for the victims.
Officials declined to explain why even blankets and packaged foods have not been distributed to the victims, staying in relief camps.
"The big shots of the BJP and the ruling Congress seem to be occupied with the local body elections on Monday," said K. Panmei, an earthquake victim.
"In any case, they have no time for us since our villages do not come under the valley local bodies," Panmei added.
Officials said the central government has received a report as sought by central ministers Kiren Rijiju and Jitendra Singh during their visit to Imphal shortly after the earthquake.
Rijiju said: "Once we receive the report, we will come out with relief measures."
It was, however, not explained why no relief material or funds have been made available to the people.
Manipur governor visits quake-affected
Imphal, January 10 (IANS): Manipur Governor V. Shanmuganathan on Sunday visited a hospital and enquired about the health of the victims of the recent earthquake.
He distributed sweets and fruits to those injured in the January 4 earthquake who are undergoing treatment at Shija Hospital near Imphal.
"I was in Shillong when the earthquake struck Manipur. I rushed to Imphal on January 9. I have visited the women's market and listened to the problems and demands of the women vendors. I have promised to look into their demands and I am sure the government will address the same," said Shanmuganathan, who is also governor of Meghalaya.
"I met some victims of the quake. Many of them have lost homes. But I am sure they will get new houses with running water and uninterrupted power supply."
Official sources said the governor may soon visit the hill district of Tamenglong, where the epicentre was located.
Meanwhile, women vendors of Kongba Market in Imphal East district blocked roads on Sunday, and no vehicle was allowed to pass.
Though traffic was obstructed till evening, police stayed at a safe distance, not wanting to provoke the angry women.
"The Kongba market which suffered damage is slowly crumbling. The market will collapse any day now. Under these circumstances, we cannot enter and sell consumer items," one woman vendor said.
"We are demanding the immediate demolition of the market complex and construction of a new one. We shall continue (with the agitation) till the government asks the authorities to act."
Voluntary organisations have started extending a helping hand to the quake victims. A large number of people donated blood on Sunday for victims undergoing treatment in hospital
