Source: The Sangai Express
Ukhrul, September 06, 2009:
Following heavy landslide on the road stretch from Gammom to Chamu village, under Kamjong block, Ukhrul district, several villages have been cut off from the outside world for the last seven days.
Eight villages are situated along the 8 km stretch of road between Gammom and Chamu, which is near the Indo-Myanmar border, around 123 kms from the district headquarters.
The cut off areas are famed for their scenic beauty and the awesome Tilli Li waterfall is located in this area.
Talking to The Sangai Express, convenor of the Sambu Area Development, P Peimi Winsong said that the land slides has cut off the life line of around 11 villages, causing immense hardships to the villagers.
The villagers are already reeling under the shortage of medicines and food and maize and bamboo shoots are only food available at the moment.
This too will run out of stock if held soon, if help does not come fast.
The convenor said that earlier the villagers could rely on the Church granary, during times of crises, but this time, the Church granary is empty, as the crops failed due to the drought like situation last year.
Earlier, BPL rice used to be transported to the village and a 50 kgs bag of rice was sold at Rs 1150 but since after landslide, this supply chain too has snapped, said the convenor.
Significantly, the Sawumphung SDO office, which was inaugurated amid much fan fare by TD Minister D Thaisii and Victor Keishing, general secretary of the MPCC (I) in 2007, the office is yet to start functioning effectively, said the convenor.
The SAD has already informed the Deputy Commissioner of Ukhrul of the landslide and urged him to come to the aid of the affected villagers and provide essential items like rice, sugar etc.