Inmates of Pre-Fabricated House at Sajiwa under Imphal East district finds solace through cultivating vegetables in vast arable land lying in surrounding areas of their temporary shelter.
The life of internally displaced persons (IDPs) staying at pre-fabricated house at Sajiwa in Imphal East is comparatively getting better after shifting at the pre-fabricated houses from relief camps.
Despite having hard times, with all their courage and effort they prioritise in restoring normal life. Maximum inmates engaged in any available manual works as a source of livelihood. Underscoring their grievances, government has given permission for cultivation in arable land that surrounds pre-fabricated house. The decision has provided enormous support to each and every family staying at this pre-fabricated house.
“When I recalled how I bear my days in relief camps, I feel that it is much better to take shelter in pre-fabricated house. Though the room is too small, that its size is 9×9 and has attached bathroom. But at least I can stay together with my children and wife,” Khunaijam Jiten, who had shifted at Sajiwa Pre-Fabricated House from relief camp in the month of August last year said.
He shared that each room has to be adjust with at least three people. Though there is a common kitchen room. But every family has the liberty to set up their own kitchen inside their accommodated room.
Pre-Fabricated House at Sajiwa under Imphal East is presently accommodating 730 inmates in 220 rooms. Inmates are mostly from peripheral areas of Imphal East. Committee formed in pre-fabricated houses mostly comprises of inmates takes the responsibility of ensuring government support and schemes by inmates.
Another inmate, Athokpam Somorendro said the government is providing Rs 80 and 400 gm of rice per day per head. However, government sometime delayed in disbursing the ration which is very distressing.Almost all the inmates are daily wage earners. Whenever there are irregularities in disbursing government ration, it is quite difficult to manage their life. They would be grateful government provided all their support on time.
He also appreciated the government for allowing to access cultivable land found in nearby surrounding of pre-fabricated house.
“Our pre-fabricated house is adjacent to Central Jail Sajiwa. As the SP of this jail permitted to cultivate vegetables, we equally distribute area to every inmate so that they can grow some seasonal vegetables for consumption purpose,” he explained.
Anybody body who are unable to go out of their house can spend their days in cultivation in this land. Engaging in this activity help them to ease their woes and worries at least for some time.
“When I stay at relief camp, I used to stay in a hall where more than 100 people stay and used to have food in common kitchen. Now I can live with my own family together comfortably though the room is congested. But this doesn’t mean that I am very happy and contented. Until and unless I resume my normal life at my original hometown, I don’t think I will get real happiness,” said Somorendro.
One of the inmates also informed that the total number of students staying in this pre-fabricated house is around 220. Almost all students are getting education from private school despite the fact that parent’s income is hit hard by conflict.
“Parents sends their children to private school as they don’t trust to government school. As we can’t just rely on free rice and money provided by government, we use to engage in available job,” he stated.
On the other hand, inmate of pre-fabricated house at Utlou under Bishnupur district also shared the struggle and challenges driven by conflict.
One of the inmates of this pre-fabricated house said that they have shifted in the month of February this year. Though they can live in separate room unlike relief camp. However, their fooding is provided in common kitchen which most inmate doesn’t prefer.
“There are around 524 inmates of 135 families staying in this Utlou Pre-Fabricated House. Fooding is provided from common kitchen cooked by inmates in rosfter basis. But this system is quite problematic. We would be very grateful if concerned authority provided ration to inmates directly and allow us to run kitchen own our own,” the inmates suggested.
Another lady inmates taking shelter at Utlou Pre-Fabricated House with her three children and husband said that searching for source of livelihood is so challenging. She engaged in crafting of bag but doesn’t get market for sale. Her husband is a driver by profession. With that meagre salary, she managed to run family.
Another inmate also complained about difficulties they faced in getting birth certificate of the children which is most essential document to get Aadhar card, and getting admission to school.
The onset of Manipur crisis in May last 2023 has forced 60000 people have been displaced. As an immediate measures, the Manipur government had set up relief camps at several places covering 14 districts of Manipur.
Without further ado, state government took the initiative for construction of pre-fabricated house from the month of June 2003. This step was taken up as a temporary shelter for IDPs viewing the discomfort face by them at relief camps.
The Manipur government had planned to construct 3000 number of prefabricated houses in seven districts of Manipur. Out of it, 2660 houses are completed, 340 houses are in progress and 2520 houses are occupied.
As per report from home department Government of Manipur, number of pre-fabricated houses to be constructed in Churachandpur district is 400. Out of it, 240 completed, 160 is in progress and 150 houses are occupied. In Imphal West, 250 houses are constructed and all rooms are occupied.
For Imphal East, 530 houses to be constructed and out of it, 400 completed, 130 is in progress cand completed houses are occupied. Out of 1100 houses to be constructed in Kangpokpi district, 1050 are completed, 50 is in progress and 1000 occupied. In Thoubal district and Kakching district 200 houses each constructed and all the houses are occupied. In Bishnupur district, 320 houses were constructed and all the houses are occupied.
As each house can accommodate at least three to five people, larger share of IDPs is still languishing at relief camps. As per report from home report, as many as 63,538 people are currently taking shelter in relief camps opened at several areas.
The writer is an award winning reporter
