'Free for all' cited for 2nd MR inferno, aid extended
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 03 2010: The devastating fire that led to loss of properties worth crores of rupees in the 2nd Manipur Rifles complex here yesterday was the result of "free for all" conditions, without any accountability or responsibility amongst the occupants of the complex.

Talking to The Sangai Express, the official said that those living in the family line have been having their way all these years with no one to control and discipline them.

Observing that the family line of 2nd MR need to be kept for this battalion alone, the official pointed out that many employees who are working as security personnel of the Assembly, in CID and those in the Manipur Police Training School are also staying in the same family line.

As per rules, a personnel who has been transferred from 2nd MR should leave the family line.

But this is not being followed, the official lamented, adding that there is also political pressure when a transferred personnel is asked to leave the family line.

Relief material being distributed and the remains of the devastating inferno on Aug 2

According to the official, in addition to the immediate family members of the personnel like his wife and children, their parents, siblings, even relatives are putting up in the family line and when these dependants marry, the new addition to the family also come to stay in the family line.

As the quarters provided by the Government is not enough to accommodate them all, unauthorised extension can be seen everywhere.

Moreover, as the monthly income and the ration money provided for one person is not sufficient to meet the requirement of the growing family, they started indulging in all sort of trades, both fair and unfair.

This also lead to increase in crimes.

The official recalled that some time back notifications have been served to families of 31 personnel who are no longer working in 2 MR to leave the family line so as to give room to other MR personnel who are looking for accommodation.

But the effort has been stopped following political pressure and the matter has not been pursued any more after that.

The activities going on inside 2 MR campus are simply astounding.

Earlier, it was liquor brought from Sekmai and now it is black marketing of petrol and diesel, the official added.

The official disclosed that since it was normally late when the personnel of 2 MR returned from escort duty, they halted at Sekmai to load a large quantity of liquor.

So, when they returned to the complex it was common sight to see the escort party being thronged by other personnel to get their respective share of the liquor.

However, after there is shortage of essential commodities including petrol and diesel in the State following the blockade along the NH 39 and the subsequent decision of the transporters not to ply along this route, the attention of the MR personnel has turned to black marketing of petrol and diesel.

No wonder, an accommodation area has turned into a business centre, the official exclaimed.

It is said that prior to the unfortunate fire incident of yesterday morning, one 407 mini Tata had come to the Family Line to siphon off fuel.

As some of the higher officials of the battalion have reportedly seen it, the mini Tata left in a haste.

When it was stopped and checked at the gate, the mini Tata bearing registration no.MN701-C9750 was found to be registered in the name of one Dutta.

There has been no restriction on the entry of anyone from the side of the personnel on RP duty at the gate, the official added.

Meanwhile, following the yesterday's unfortunate incident of fire, demolishing of unauthorised structures constructed to extend the quarters in the Family Line has been started from this afternoon.

Giving a deadline of 24 hours, instructions have also been given verbally to all those who are putting up in an authorised manner to vacate the Family Line.

According to another source, there is plan for construction of a large kitchen under police modernisation at the very site where the Family Line is located.

On the other hand, Potsangbam Dineshkanta of Kwakeithel Thokchom Leikai, who is working as a Sub-Inspector in Manipur Police Department, today provided relief materials including food items among the members of 30 families who have been rendered homeless in the yesterday's devastating fire.

The homeless fire victims are currently putting up in the building of Unit Junior High School of 2 MR as well as in another relief camp set up for them.