Manipur CM seeks Rs 500 crore from Centre for quake relief

Imphal: Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi on Monday sought an assistance of Rs 500 crore from the central government to cope with the aftermath of the earthquake which hit the state on January 4, killing nine people and injuring over 120.

A large number of houses, market complexes and other structures were damaged.

"The chief minister wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi today (Monday) requesting an assistance of Rs.500 crore," said Chief Secretary Oinam Nabakishore.

Earlier, the state government had sought an assistance of Rs 20 crore.

"An expert team of IIT Roorkee had visited Imphal to assess the loss. Their opinion is that women vendors and customers should not enter the three market complexes in the heart of Imphal town as they pose a threat," Nabakishore said.

"The experts have sent samples of the damaged portions to Guwahati for further analysis and once the report is received, more will be known," he said.

Meanwhile, street vendors in Imphal said the state government should translate into action the agreements it had signed with them.

Women vendors of the damaged market complexes said they were now forced to sell their produce by the roadside.

On Monday, the people of Tamenglong, where the quake epicentre was located, protested against the government for not taking any action to repair damaged structures.