Gaikhangam visits Noney fire site

IMPHAL, April 10: Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam accompanied by Z Kikhonbou, MLA Tamei and Janghemlung Panmei, MLA of Tamenglong visited Noney today and inspected the site where a major fire had destroyed 59 houses including shops and property reportedly worth Rs 10 crores yesterday at 1.30 am.

The Deputy CM met with the victims of the fire and attended a public meeting held at Noney Bazaar today regarding the incident.

The said meeting was also attended by W Arthur, DC Tamenglong District; Suhel Akhtar, Commissioner of Relief and Disaster Management, Government of Manipur; and G Shem Haumei, Chairman of the Tamenglong ADC.

Speaking at the meeting Dy CM Gaikhangam who is also the Home Minister said that he shares the misery of the victims of the unfortunate incident. "Burning of a house not only destroys the property but also depresses the mind of the owner. The recent fire incident is disheartening," he said.

"However, apart from feeling sad, we have to challenge and try to achieve more than what we had earlier. In doing this, God will surely help us," Gaikhangnam said while appealing to the people in both the hill and valley to aid the victims of the mishap with whatever they can afford. Adding that the government will also help in whatever possible ways, he announced that a fire service will be set up at Noney for which, the people are appealed to provide land, he added.

As an immediate relief from the Government’s side, the Dy CM handed food items and utensils including an amount of Rs 1 lakh to the relief committee. The two MLAs also donated Rs 50,000 each to the victims with a financial aid of Rs 20,000 from Asin, Member ADC Tamenglong and Rs 1 lakh by Sitaram, Project Manager  ECI on behalf of the company which is undertaking the work of the railway construction here.

Later, in an interaction with this IFP reporter, one of the victims Gailangliu Gonmei said that three of her houses were burnt completely in the fire including some shop units selling mobile phones, automobile spare parts, hardware etc were destroying in the fire. She claimed that her losses would amount to over Rs 3 crores.Narrating that she has many dues to be paid to shops at Imphal on account of the items  taken on credit, she said that the houses that were burnt in the fire were her only means of financial assets and appealed for help.

Another victim Gaithaolu, a local agent dealing with diesel and LPG cylinder said all the documents relating to new customers with gas cylinder connections were burnt including an amount of  Rs 50,000 which had been deposited by them.She further said that the books and school uniforms of her five children were burnt and they could not be sent to school either.

Some other victims namely Akim Dangmei, Saihemliu Kamei, Songanliu Gangmei, Liam Kamei also lamented for their loss and appealed to the government for help.