The curious, unsettled case of Thangting subdivision

TM Gangte *

Volunteers of Khousabung Youth Club in Churachandpur District repairing 'Dr Kalam Road' in October 2011

Much water might have flown down the Imphal River since August 7, 2014, the day the State Cabinet gave its approval for the creation of five new subdivisions in the hill districts of Manipur. But no tangible action has been taken up by the Govt so far to translate its decision into reality save for the Gazette notification issued by the Revenue Dept in the last part of August last year.

It will be in the fitness of things to say that the patience of people of the areas covered by the new subdivisions is almost running out. Indeed, the hope of becoming close to administration is still a dream as the authorities concerned prefer to sit over the matter for this far. In short, making the new subdivisions functional at the earliest is the aspiration and hope of the people concerned.

For the uninitiated, it may be recalled here that the State Cabinet last August gave its nod for creation of five subdivisions in the hill districts of the State. They are: Mao and Bungte subdivisions in Senapati district; Lungchong Meiphai subdivision in Ukhrul district; Haochong subdivision in Tamenglong district and Thangting subdivision in Churachandpur district. The decision was hailed as a watershed moment in the development history of Manipur hills. The euphoria that follows the Cabinet's decision was something to treasure for. And now the hype is well and truly over.

The Two Tales:

While the news of creation of the subdivisions was a relief to people of other four subdivisions, the same turns out to be a dysphoria for people of Thangting subdivision. That, no mention of the subdivisional headquarters was made by the Cabinet in respect of the Thangting subdivision and others. Mao, Bungte Chiru, Lungchong Meiphai and Haochong are names of places.

Hence, it was quite pertinent that the headquarters of the subdivisions would be set up at their respective place. Since Thangting is not a name of place of settlement, the announcement created unnecessary confusion among the people. Concerned people felt perturbed by the question, 'Where should this subdivision be located?' The smart or rather wise manoeuver of the Cabinet has fomented enough doubt and unrest among the concerned public.

As per an official notification, around 125 villages inhabited by various tribal ethnic communities like the Aimol, Chiru, Chothe, Gangte, Kom, Rongmei, Thadou and Vaiphei are covered by the Thangting subdivision. Different locations were projected by 'enlightened minds' of the area concerned. There were also instances where these different communities came up with a project each to locate the Thangting subdivisional headquarters at their own disposition, thus creating more doubts and confusion.

The silver lining:

The State Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, while attending the first Thangting subdivision cultural festival on April 10, 2015 at Khousabung DCC headquarters, Ccpur district organised by KAYDF, said the headquarters for the Thangting subdivision of Churachandpur district will be stationed at the most suitable location based on 'popular consent' of the people concerned (TSE, Apr 11, 2015). The Dy CM also said that the newly created five subdivisions of the State would soon be made functional. This assurance came as the silver lining, if there is one, to the cloud of doubts.

On April 13, 2015, representatives of the Thangting Area Chiefs' Association (TACA)-I and II, Leimata Area Chiefs' Association (LACA) and Kom Keirap TD Block Demand Committee (KKTDDC) had submitted a representation to the Chief Minister conveying the democratic voice of the people —that, 100 village chiefs out of the 125 villages want declaration of Khousabung as the headquarters for the Thangting subdivision. (TSE, Apr 14, 2015)

100 out of 125. This might possibly be what Deputy Chief Minister wants to mean by 'popular consent.' The matter speaks a lot for itself. And if the Government is deciding the location for the Thangting subdivisional headquarters based on majority opinion and if at all it is taking public voice into consideration, then it would definitely be Khousabung DCC headquarters as claimed by the TACA-I vice-president, L Achung Kom.

Why Khousabung?

The area chiefs' associations' demand for locating the Thangting subdivision is not without strong basis. In fact, Khousabung, located about 45 kms South of Imphal and about 25 kms North of Churachandpur district headquarters and nestled at the plain below the foothills of Thangting hill range, suits the need of a subdivisional headquarters.

Ideal location and easy accessibility: Location matters, particularly for administrative purpose in remote and isolated area. An administrative centre should ideally be located at the centre of the territory so that subjects from all parts could meet at the centre. This should also be an important factor in deciding the headquarters for Thangting subdivision.

There is no doubt that Khousabung is the most centrally located place among the villages covered by the Thangting subdivision. Due to abundance of horticultural crops like pineapple and banana, the place is also an important trading centre of the area. As such, Khousabung has the edge over the others in this front.

Locating administrative centre at hardly accessible place is unimaginable. Such centre should be a place accessible by all from all corners. In this front too, Khousabung presents the most suitable location for a subdivisional headquarters. The place could be reached easily by people coming from the northern end of Ccpur district like Loktak Project and Lamdan area.

Likewise, people from eastern side like Kangathei, Senpangjar; Nalon, Nabil etc in the western side have easy and affordable access to the place. Kangvai, Mualngat, S Kotlian etc in its southern side could easily reach the place via two routes – via Moirang along Tedim road and the newly, yet the much reliable road along the base of the hills.

Significantly, Khousabung is also among the two District Council Constituency headquarters —another being Leimata DCC, under Henglep Assembly Constituency of Ccpur district covered by the proposed subdivision. While Leimata DCC headquarters lies in the periphery, Khousabung is in the centre. Its proximity to the district headquarters is also simply ideal for opening a sub-administrative centre.

Historical factor: Deep down in the history of Moirang or its epical Khamba-Thoibi mythology, Khousabung has an important and unforgettable place. This is also one of the oldest villages of the area. Important social fabrics of the State were woven from the area. Keeping an administrative centre at this village is one common-sense justice.

Neutrality: Suffice to say that, Khousabung is free from ethnic power play. Unlike other 'potential places,' no single community could claim dominance of Khousabung. Ethnic communities like Kom, Thadou, Gangte and Vaiphei, even the Meitei, et al co-exist in the area peacefully down the decades. The village itself is one multi-ethnic entity.

This is one such place where different cultures and tribal groups mingle freely. Without any exaggeration, the people too are accommodative, liberal and encompassing. This factor could perhaps be one significant and convincing reason why the chiefs' associations gave their consent for locating the Thangting subdivisional headquarters there.

Weighing these factors together, the Govt may apply the principles of natural justice in deciding the headquarters for Thangting subdivision. The innocent people, who coexist peacefully down the decades, need protection from the vagaries of excesses of organised power. We must also remember that justice is prerequisite for peace and harmony in the society, as Plato says “Justice is harmony.”