Tongjei Marin demand for full-fledged district
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 03 2011: Highlighting lack of development initiative in areas covered by New Cachar Road also known as Tongjei Marin, the Tongjei Marin District Demand Committee (TMDDC) renewed its demand for creation of the composite zone as a full-fledged district.

The Committee affirmed that in case, demand for creation of the new district do not figure in the proposed district boundary reorganisation initiative as had been announced by the Government of Manipur, intense agitation would be launched.

Speaking to newspersons at Manipur Press Club here today, TMDDC chairman Abon Kamei said the demand was first raised to the then Chief Minister W Nipamacha on July 11, 1998 with another representation placed before the Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh on August 30 this year reminding the State Government that aspiration of the people settled along the Old Cachar Road should be honoured.

While welcoming the State Government's plan to reorganise district boundaries in the wake of demand for creation of Sadar Hills, Jiribam, Tengnoupal, tipaimukh and Phungyar districts, Abon said demand for Tongjei Marin district should also be taken into account when the district boundary reorganisation exercise is taken up.

Pointing out that Tongjei Marin is one of the oldest roads in Manipur used for trading or travel with/to other parts since time immemorial, the chairman lamented that the area remains neglected for the last many decades.

further contending that one of the most important and historically significant road is being maintained by the villagers settled on this route to remain in contact with other parts of the State, he also highlighted that none of the villages are covered by any sort of development programmes undertaken by the State Government.

Covering an area of about 952 square kilometres, tongjei Marin is home to people belonging to various communities or tribes such as the Kuki-Chin-Mizo group, Chiru, Meitei, Nepali, Zeliangrong etc, he said adding that it shares boundaries with Churachandpur, Tamenglong and Senapati districts.

With regard to historic relevance of Tongjei Marin, he said the route was relied for transportation of essential commodities on foot from its western neighbour namely present-day Silchar when Manipur was still a sovereign nation.

Comment