New Delhi: The absence of packages for internally displaced people in Manipur in the budget announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has led to politicians from the northeastern state expressing their disappointment.
“Absence thy name is Manipur, that’s the budget speak! Nothing on flood and rehabilitation package for IDPs in the state!” Congress Lok Sabha MP from Manipur Angomcha Bimol Akoijam posted on X after the budget was presented by Sitharaman.
In the budget presented on June 23, Sitharaman made assured central assistance to several states under the budget head of irrigation and flood mitigation’, but didn’t mention the flood that has affected the people of strife-torn Manipur, reported Imphal Free Press.
Politicians from Manipur had expected that special packages could be announced for the state, which has continued to reel under ethnic violence for more than a year, with thousands of people displaced from their homes.
Manipur has, since May last year, been embroiled in strife between the majority Meitei community and the Kuki-Zo minority. Although the degree of violence has lessened, the rift between the two communities has left the state severely divided with access to some areas de facto banned for members of a particular community.
