Demand for Khousabung sub-division Mega public rally staged
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 29 2016: A huge public gathering at Khousabung village, Churchandpur district today unanimously demanded immediate renaming of the nomenclature of the new subdivision of Churachandpur district as 'Khousabung Subdivision' with its headquarters at Khousabung.

A massive rally cum public consultation meeting was held today under the aegis of Khousabung Sub-Division Demand Committee (KSDDC).

The rally began at 10 am from Phunchongjang ground, near S Nabil and converged at Khousabung market shed where a public meeting was held.

Social activists of the area, village chiefs and tribal leaders of Churachandpur district participated in the rally.

The public at the mega rally cum public meeting strongly denounced and condemned the 'hasty, biased, unmindful, undemocratic and unconstitutional' decision of the Manipur Cabinet of Feb 10, 2016, which gave approval to rename the new Subdivision as 'Kangvai Subdivision' and the subsequent notification issued by the Government in pursuance of the Cabinet decision.

A mega rally being taken out at Khousabung demanding Khousabung subdivision on Monday

The public at the Mega Rally strongly demanded review of the Cabinet decision of Feb 10, 2016 within seven days from today in the larger interest of the public.

The public at the Mega Rally demanded the State Government to rename the new Sub-Division as Khousabung Sub- Division with its headquarters at Khousabung village (1-Khousabung DCC Hqtrs) as per the wishes and aspirations of the public.

The people also demanded the State Government to honour the signatures of 100 village chiefs and uphold principles of democracy and deliver long overdue justice to people of the area.

The public further resolved to support and endorse whatever steps initiated by the Khousabung Sub-Division Demand Committee in its pursuit of justice.

Prominent leaders like Francis Songate, general secretary, Hmar Inpui, political activist Lien Gangte, ex-MP Kim Gangte, Mangcha Thangjom, convener JPO, Naba Volcano etc addressed the gatherings.

They said that Kangvai is located within 8 kms radius of CCpur district headquarters and there is no need to locate a subdivisional hqtrs there.

The speakers further expressed their desire to locate administrative centres outside CCpur town area for equitable development.

Lien Gangte said people have been demanding for a viable location for a sub-division of the area.

But the State Cabinet's decision will have a negative impact on the people as there is no benefit for them in relocating the sub-division at Kangvai.

He clarified that the rally is targeted against the State Government, but not against any ethnic communities settled in Henglep A/C.Further he urged the State Govt to roll back its decision and work in the larger interest of the public.

Speakers of the programme strongly endorsed the demand to locate a sub-divisional headquarters at Khousabung, which lies at the centre of the newly carved out subdivision.

KSDDC joint secretary, Jangkholen Kipgen said that people of the area have been facing many hardships in administrative purpose.

The area is under Churachandpur subdivision, Samulamlan TD block (under Saikot AC), Moirang PS (Bpr district), and is again within Henglep AC.

As such, it will be a sensible step on the part of the Govt to locate a subdivision at Khousabung in order to bring administrative convenience to the people.

Over 100 chiefs out of the 125 villages covered by the SDO/BDO circle have appended their signatures in favour of Khousabung as the new subdivisional headquarters.

Spokesperson of KSDDC Ngulsang Gangte, threatened to launch a series of agitation if the State Govt fails to comply with the demand of the people at the earliest.

More than 2000 people of the area cutting across communal divide participated in the mass rally where placards like 'No to vested interest, yes to public interest', 'Justice to Khousabung,' 'Stop this Injustice' 'No to communal politics,' 'Honour democratic voices of the people,' 'T Manga, MLA -down with your regime,' 'Respect people voice,' etc were displayed by the protesters.