Imphal, April 3: Manipur chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh today made a whirlwind tour of the interiors of Churachandpur, offering the balm of reassurance on the ?hurt sentiments? of tribal villagers, who complained of being ?terrorised? by armed militants.

Hearing out the village authorities at Thanlon subdivision and Parbung of Tipaimukh subdivision, Ibobi Singh promised a slew of development programmes, including revival of the district administration and repair of National Highway 150 connecting Imphal to Aizawl.

Today?s trip followed the recent exodus of about a thousand Hmar villagers to Mizoram following alleged atrocities by militants.

A judicial inquiry is on to probe allegations of mass rape and excesses by armed cadre.

The chief minister arrived by chopper, first in Thanlon, where he made ex gratia payments of Rs 1.5 lakh to the next of kin of two victims of a landmine blast.

He also paid Rs 10,000 each to three persons injured in the blast. Ibobi Singh was accompanied by a host of ministers and MLAs from the district and GOC 57th Mountain Division Maj. Gen. E.J. Kochekan.

Ibobi Singh issued appointment orders of six doctors and seven nurses on the spot to man the nearby primary health centres of the area. He also assured that schoolteachers would be appointed on contract basis within three months from among eligible local candidates.

In neighbouring Parbung, Ibobi Singh laid the foundation stone for a power sub-station.

He also distributed sports gear and blankets among the villagers.

Ibobi Singh?s assurance at both places hinged on restoring civil administration.

He promised villagers that the probe panel, headed by Justice S.P. Rajkhowa, would visit Parbung to meet the alleged victims of mass rape and atrocities.

Informing that the army would be stationed there for as long as required, the chief minister appealed to villagers to co-operate with the force to prevent militants from entering the area again. He appealed to the 500-odd displaced villagers, now housed at relief camps in Mizoram, to return to their respective homes, promising to rehabilitate them.

Amid boycott calls by tribal student organisations of the district and Hmar Inpui, the apex body of the Hmar community, the villagers accorded a warm welcome to their leader.

Ibobi Singh was initially scheduled to visit the areas on March 28.