Newmai News Network
IMPHAL, January 6
Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh visited sites of various ongoing mega projects to oversee them following a powerful earthquake measuring 6.8 on Richter Scale rocked the state.
Nearly 200 structures were damaged due to the before dawn tremor which also cracked scores of buildings including the iconic Ima Keithel (Women market) in the heart of Imphal city.
The Manipur CM visited IT Park at Mantripukhri, Imphal, Mega Tourist at Kheba Ching in Khongjom under Thoubal district and a 400 KV Mega Project at Thoubal Khunou. During the trip, Ibobi was accompanied by officials of Manipur Power Department, Manipur State Power Distribution Company Ltd (MSPDCL) and Manipur Development Society (MDS).
The earthquake that shook the state at 4:35 am killed eight people and injured 106 others. Many people have been left homeless after the quake. Humanitarian efforts are on in the devastated areas. Imphal West has recorded the maximum number of casualties at 58, according to reports.Many of the injured victims are being treated at government hospitals Regional Institute of Medical Sciences and Jawaharlal Nehru of Medical Sciences (JNIMS) here.
A team of Voluntary Health Unit Committee (VHUC) today provided help to the victims at RIMS. The Committee told journalists the Manipur Government is yet to take any measures to help the victims. VHUC appealed to the government to extend possible assistance to the quake victims without delay.
The district administration Thoubal district in association with National Mobile Unit organised a free health camp at Khangabok during which a total of 130 people were given treatment and medical aid.
Joining the humanitarian effort, People for Animal, Manipur (PFA) distributed food items to the villagers of Noney Part I, II, III and IV in Tamenglong district which was the epicentre of the earthquake. The PFA volunteers also treated animals in the affected villages. Longmai Students’ Union and village headmen assisted the PFAS volunteers.
Manipur BJP claimed that 20 people had been left in unconscious state in Tamenglong’s Kabui Khullen after the tremor. The village was the actual epicentre of the earthquake. This remote village is located about 37 km from Noney. The Party said four persons were seriously hurt and 10 others suffered minor injuries in the village due to the quake.
Party general secretary M Ashinikumar told journalists at the party office that a five-member team of the party visited Kabui Khullen yesterday to oversee the ground reality there. During the visit of the team led by Ashinikumar the BJP leaders met villagers and extended assistance to them.
He said BJP assured the affected villagers for more help from the party. Ashinikumar expressed concern that the state government was not ready to give any assistance to the victims. The Manipur BJP general secretary demanded the state government to ensure timely steps to help the victims and send an expert team to monitor the situation in the quake-hit district.
