Kwatha suffers from AR occupation of PHSC
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, May 24 2012:
With the only existing Primary Health Sub-Centre (PHSC) at Kwatha successively being occupied by various battalions of Assam Rifles, access to health care facilities by the villagers has been affected.
Located 7 km away from Khudengthabi Lamkhai under Chandel district, Kwatha is a small hamlet inhabited by Meetei community.
It comprises 70 households with around 500 people, out of which 330 are eligible voters.
The foundation of the said PHSC was laid by the then Chief Minister of Manipur Wahengbam Nipamacha in 1999 to address the health care needs of the villagers.
But 24, 27, 28 and 37 battalions of Assam Rifles have respectively occupied the PHSC, thus affecting the health care of the villagers.
The officers of these AR battalions have almost converted the PHSC as their quarters.
Currently, B-company of 24 Assam Rifles is occupying the lone PHSC at Kwatha.
It is learnt that the villagers have given separate land to the Assam Rifles to go away from the PHSC but so far they have not shifted.
Speaking to the media persons, one of the villagers informed that the regular nurses of the PHSC have started treating patients at their residences as they have no option after the health centre has been occupied by AR.
The villager further informed that at times, the sick villagers were to be taken to other hospitals for treatment while many patients lost their lives on the way.
On the other hand, the sacred site of Goddess Panthoibi and Lainingthou Nongpok Ningthou at Kwatha has also been occupied by AR and the devotees coming to pay their obeisance during Lai Haraoba festival are frisked at the gate by AR personnel.
Moreover, students coming to offer prayers at the site before they leave for further studies are delayed at the entrance for hours telling them that the officer is sleeping and would be given permission to enter only after he wakes up.
One of the villagers observed that AR is of no use to them accept providing them with first-aid when someone got hurt.
The main occupation of the people in Kwatha village is Jhum cultivation.
But while going for Jhum cultivation, they to cross the AR camp and would often end up fighting with the security personnel.
Another issue that led to frequent confrontation between the villagers and the Assam Rifles personnel is water and electricity.
The AR personnel fetched drinking water from a tank constructed by the villagers and it creates water scarcity for the villagers.
The AR personnel disconnect the water pipe and use it for their own purpose as long as they want.
Nonetheless, in comparison to other places in Manipur, the condition of water and electricity is relatively better in Kwatha though it's not 24/7 service.
There are two Tata DIs and one Bolero which serve as the main transport facilities to connect the village with Moreh.
There could not be more vehicles to connect with Kwatha because of the unhealthy road condition.
The Meetei community of Kwatha who have been safeguarding the Indo-Myanmar border felt totally left out as the Government has not paid any attention to solve the various problems faced by them all these years.
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