Imphal, September 16: Even though there is palpable sign of changes in the landscape of Sajik Tampak areas local inhabitants are yet to bask in the aesthetic surrounding of these remote but explored location till date.

Arrival and spreading security apparatus ever since the 10 Assam Rifles occupied a sizable portion of Sajik Tampak proper have undoubtedly brought about concrete changes in terms of public convenience but apprehension still remains on when would a major strike by the scattered underground cadres take place that could serve as acid test for the security force to win people's confidence that they could mingle without any fear.


Sajik Tampak women folk selling vegetables at market shed occupied by security force personnel.

Tucked in the border area of chandel district, Sajik Tampak is located about 17 kilometres south-east of Chakpikarong and is the domain of Kuki and Zou tribes.

Once considered to be the haven of different UG groups the sparsely populated area was even declared 'liberated zone' by armed outfits not long ago.

However, past sights of UG cadres patrolling or idling in the villagers before disappearing into nearby jungles have dissipated after arrival of the 10 AR men with weapons and modern gadgetry.

nevertheless, fear factor still persist amongst the villagers as they fear that like in the past when security forces launched lightning attacks and retreated to nearby locations, the UGs might opt for similar tactics but on a more larger scale intent on inflicting loss to the security establishment.

A group of reporters on their visit to Sajik Tampak to cover a Govt sponsored programme on September 14 were told by the villagers that they are helplessly anticipating a nightmarish experience which could be created when UG-SF clash as many armed UG activists are reportedly hiding in their not so far jungle hideouts.

Amid this looming fear the villagers are equally expectant that presence of security force camp/s will certainly bring about a semblance of development especially in the road network.

Even though no major changes had taken place in terms of civic amenity and crucially in the education section despite the AR's arrival, jungle clearance along the bumpy stretch of Sajik Tampak road and mending of expansive dug-outs are visible these days.

Apart from tiny settlement areas, Sajik Tampak area is mostly made up of Twilelon village on the eastern side of the road and Sajik Tampak village on the western side.

The Kuki and Zou dominated villages have around 50-100 clans with the total population strength ranging from 300 to 400 each according to estimates of the villagers.

These villagers whose main source of sustenance include chopping down trees for charcoal production and paddy plantation are infatuated with the long cherished aspiration of seeing their wards attend in school regularly and having access to health care facilities.

Contending that neither past experiences of sharing the dusty road with UGs nor mingling among the para-military force personnel at present are able to mitigate their anxiety, the villagers however expressed that they feel more comfortable to air their grievances to the UG cadres as most gun-wielding youths were easier to approach.

On the other hand, gap of communication between the ordinary villagers and the uniformed personnel was speculated as the chief factor for the artificial barrier as the villagers desired that their problems could be poured out and positive initiative taken to ameliorate their suppressed grievances.

The villagers also recalled of sharing moments with the UG cadres who are claimed to frequently enquire welfare of the family they interact with apart from sharing emergency medicines and paying for items required for their jungle sojourns.

A particular villager who disclosed of working as a porter for the UGs chipped in by saying that he used to have regular income which had subsequently withered after the AR showed-up even culminating in his home disintegrating steadily owing to constricted source of income generation.

Narrating similar tale a Shaktiman driver comparing his average income of about Rs 700-800 a day when ferrying rations and men of UG groups to penniless these days informed of security personnel preventing him from foraying into deeper jungle roads to carry timbers/firewoods with a grim reminder that he may step on a landmine.

According to one Elvis, who is said to be secretary of Sajik Tampak village, and his other colleagues the 10 AR men still occupying buildings of the Sajik Junior High School and Primary Health Centre, constructing security bunkers at the village market shed as well as utilising rooms of three houses need to be reviewed and vacated at the earliest so as to enable the villagers feel like living in normal situation.

The rooms occupied by the security force belongs to Senpu, Chingkhojam and Elvis himself.

Highlighting their inconveniences the villagers urged the Chandel Deputy Commissioner Norbert Disinang to do the needful to shift the AR campus to the nearby hill slope allotted by the villagers when the DC visited Sajik Tampak village on September 14.The DC after going through the villagers' memorandum is informed to have assured that all possible initiatives would be made to honour the villagers.

Meanwhile, officials of the AR unit acknowledging inconveniences of the villagers said the arrangement is temporary as the security force are committed to hand over the village land to the authority concerned.

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