Venting out soulful anger and disappointment over the meager ration allowances, a large number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) sheltering in Sajiwa Relief Camp in Imphal East marched to the Sawombung SDO Office to register a protest against the insufficient relief measures.
The IDPs surrendered their one-month ration allowances in cash, which were credited through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), to the office through an executive magistrate, citing that they could not agree to or accept Rs. 84 per person per day as allowances.
According to an IDP, earlier when the government distributed rice, it charged Rs. 20 for 400 grams per day (200 grams per person). However, in the cash transfer system, the IDPs received only Rs. 4 per day for the said quantity and questioned the variation in price, asking from where and which rice store they could procure the allotted quantity of rice with Rs. 4.
Many inmates in other relief camps have expressed similar sentiments of discontent over this new policy or system of relief measures that discontinued the supply of rationed food. They also warned that serious forms of agitation may arise if the government fails to address the issue within 10 days.
