Imphal: Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Wednesday said the state government would provide an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh and jobs to the next of kin of the nine persons, who were killed during a protest against passing of three bills by then Congress government in 2015.
After the chief minister made the announcement of the ex-gratia and jobs, the Joint Action Committee against Anti-Tribal Bills (JACAATB) which had been protesting against the passing of the three bills by the then Congress government in 2015 and had refused to bury the bodies of those killed in police firing on Wednesday agreed to bury the bodies before May 25.
Singh said the interests of indigenous tribal people will be protected and appealed to the people to not to resort to bandh and blockade.
He said Wednesday’s agreement with the JACAATE was reached after a series of talks with different civil bodies of Churachandpur district. The chief minister said anyone who disturbs law and order will be dealt firmly. He said that proper investigation will be carried out against the firing by the police which led to the death of the nine civilians in 2015.
The state government also acknowledged the demand for creation of a new district by the JACAATB for administrative convenience which will be considered by the state cabinet based on the submission of report by District Boundary Commission.
Churachandpur district headquarters erupted into violence on September 1, 2015 when three Bills – Protection of Manipur People Bill, 2015, The Manipur Land Revenue and Land Reforms (7th Amendment) Bill 2015 and Manipur Shops and Establishments (2nd amendment) Bill 2015 were passed by the then government. (PTI)
