IMPHAL, Jan 8 UNA : Tongjei Maril District Demand Committee (TMDDC) has come up with its demand for creation of a separate district by bifurcating the existing districts of Churachandpur, Tamenglong, Jiribam (Imphal East) and Senapati after remaining silent for the last around one year and set January 30 deadline to fulfill its demand.
A statement of the TMDDC signed by its convener, Abon Kamei said that memoranda had been submitted four times regarding its demands to the state government to the Chief Minister. However, government was yet to give a response to this effect.
The TMDDC had for the first time submitted a memorandum to the government on July 11, 1998 and another the memorandum submitted on August 30, 2011 had reminded the government about the demand.
The demand for creation of Tongjei Maril was among the five such similar demands for creation of full fledged districts. Others pending demands include creation of Phungyar (to be formed curving out Phungyar sub-division of present Ukhrul district, Sadar Hills (to be curved out from present Senapati district, Jiribam to be bifurcated from Imphal East district and Tengnoupal district (to be curved out from present Chandel district.
An area of 952 sq km encompassing Lower Lukhambi of Tamenglong district in the north, Churanchandpur district’s Tuangtu and Tuiphai, Thanlon-Nungsei Kolhen Chothe Munpi of Henglep subdivision to the south, Senapati district’s Sadar Hills’ New Keithelmanbi and Chini-Inkhol to the east and Imphal East’s Jiribam’s Gularthol and Tousem subdivision’s Kaiphundai to the west, comprising of 150 villages and one of the most underdeveloped area of the state have been proposed to be created into a full fledged district, noted the statement.
The statement further went on to say that the approximate population of the proposed district is one lakh composing of Aimol, Gangte, Chiru, Baite, Meitei, Bihari, Bengali Neisel, Haokip, Kipgen, Paite, Zou, Sitlhou, Singsit, Samte, Simte, Vaiphei, Singson, Kharam, Khasi, Hmar, Kom, Nepali, Zeliangrong Zemei, Liangmai, Tongmei, Puimei, all indigenous to the area in question.
Kamei observed that all essential commodities from Silchar were once traditionally brought in through a narrow conduit along the Tongjei Maril by villagers on foot that required several days hiking.
The Zeliangrong people carried the palanquin of King Charairongba in 1704 AD when he went on his pilgrimage to Brindavan through Tongjei Maril and onto Silchar, he said.
He said that the people of the area had extended support by enlisting as soldiers during the reign of King Bhagyachandra and King Gambhir Singh whose sacrifices and martyrdom are still fondly remembered to this day.
He said that healthcare delivery services are pathetic with no doctors and nurses to attend to the healthcare needs of the people.
Many women have died while giving birth, not to mention deaths due to snake bite. The only means of reaching the area is by tracking through the forests for 3-4 days.
There is virtual no education system in the area, Abon said in the statement, adding that the development deficit of the area could only be addressed with the creation of a full fledged district.
If no positive response could be get from the state government regarding its demand on or before January 30, TMDDC will launch a series of agitation with the supports of the people and other civil organizations extending support to its demand, the statement threatened.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/tongjei-maril-district-demand-committee-sets-jan-30-deadline/
