Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 21:
The recent widespread havoc caused by breach of river embankments at Kyamgei Khoirom Leikai and Irong Chesaba in the night of October 17 was largely manmade.
Rather than taking up necessary reinforcement and repairing measures of the river banks already weakened and affected by the heavy rainfall and overflowing water a month before, the Ministers and MLAs were indulging themselves in petty politics guided by their self-centric interests, alleged a press release issued by the United Social Development Organisation (USDA), Kyamgei Maning Leikai.
If the existing Government had some concern for the people and the break-down embankments reinforced in time, the disastrous flood could have been averted, it observed.
Stating that the SPF Government should own responsibility for the recent flood, the USDA maintained that the Ministers and MLAs concerned should resign on moral ground.
It observed that it would not be politically or morally correct on the part of the Government to hoodwink the affected people by distributing a few kilograms of rice and a few grams of dal.
The USDA also denounced the State Cabinet for its failure to discuss relief and rehabilitation measures during its sitting yesterday.
The conspicuous absence of flood related matters in the agenda of the Cabinet meeting only proved that the State Govt is not concerned the least with the welfare or plight of the people, particularly the affected people.
Strongly condemning the alleged short-sighted outlook and adhoc measures of the State Government, the USDA urged upon the Government to take up necessary measures to rehabilitate and compensate the people ruined by the flood.
It also conveyed sincere gratitude to all organisations, clubs and student bodies for their sincere and generous help provided to the flood victims.