'See the Place & Meet the People'
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, June 28 2015 :
Manipur Peace & Integrity (MAPI) Council organized its 6th "See the Place & Meet the People" programme 2015 at Khuman Pokpa Shanglen, Tokpaching on Saturday.
Leaders from several civil society organizations were also present during the programme.
Tokpaching (around 2,000 population) is located about 2 km from Kakching Khunou in Thoubal district.
During the programme the leaders discussed in detail about the current standard of living and status of the village, a press note said on Sunday.
It highlighted the existing state of the village road that links the holy site of Mondum Mahadev where pilgrims visit regularly.
The village still does not have a health centre even after centuries of settlement.
The villagers are compelled to take a long way to get medical treatment and other emergencies at Wabagai and Kakching.
People in Tokpaching are not getting most of the benefits given under PDS.
Old Age Pension benefit is also denied to many of the elders, the press note said.
It stated that the Tokpaching villagers depend entirely on Pumlen Pat which naturally necessitates preservation at all cost.
But the most discouraging development is that the Manipur Government is planning to keep the endangered Sangai in the wetland area.
The speakers at the event termed the development "very unfortunate" .
The State Government's plan aims to steal the sustainable livelihood of the villagers, they said.