Imphal, June 10: Decrying undue interference from some quarters in connection with the proposal of setting up BDO and TD Block offices at Khengjoi village of Chandel district, the villagers of Khengjoi have it made it clear that the said offices should be set up only in Khengjoi village and not anywhere else in accordance to the order issued by the Government.

Talking to mediapersons in this regard at Manipur Press Club here today, chief of Khengjoi village Thongkhothang Haokip categorically stated that the villagers of the surrounding area would challenge any move to shift the site of the proposed offices.

While informing that Khengjoi village under Chakpikarong sub-division of Chandel district is one of the oldest Kuki villages, Thongkhothang said that as per an official order issued by the Government, an office of the SDC was set up in Khengjoi village in July 1983 .

Subsequently, all the functions of the Block Development Officer of Khengjoi was brought under the purview of the Chakpikarong TD Block by an order issued by the Governor in June, 1995 .

However, in July 2006, the State Government issued an order to the effect of setting up separate TD block for Khengjoi.

As a consequence, in December 2007, the MLA of Chandel Assembly Constituency laid the foundation stones for construction of the office buildings of BDO and TD Block at Khengjoi.

But now at the instigation of some vested interested people, a fresh proposal has been raised for shifting the site of these offices from Khengjoi to Khangbarol village.

The State Government and its authorities concerned should pay serious attention to this matter and ensure that the offices of the BDO and TD Block are constructed only in Khengjoi village, Thongkhothang urged.

Endorsing the order of the Government to set up the said offices at Khengjoi village, Thongkhothang contended that Khengjoi village is the centre of the Khengjoi area comprising 99 households.

The villagers of Khengjoi would never be able to accept the proposal of shifting site of the offices to Khangbarol village and in the event of any move to shift the office site, then the people of Khengjoi area would launch a mass movement, the chief warned.

Comment