'We will never go to Nagaland, Jessami belongs to Manipur'
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Nomita Khongbantabam

Jessami, August 21 2012: There might be some wrong perceptions among the people of Jessami village in Ukhrul district of Manipur that the border village would be taken over by Nagaland.

However, we would never leave Manipur and go to Nagaland under any circumstances, former Chairman of Jessami village Kanmi Waza has observed.

Speaking at a day-long awareness cum lecture programme conducted by Manipur State Archives at the border village, Kanmi said that the people of Jessami may have some difficulties in speaking Meeteilon, however, there is no public sentiment about leaving Ukhrul and Manipur.

Stating that Jessami village and the people belong to Manipur and they are not the people of Nagaland, Kanmi appealed to the state government for providing necessary facilities for the development of the border village.

He further informed that Jessami and Serabung are the only two villages where Chakheshangs came to settle for the first time in Manipur.

Today, the community has around 600 households and a population of around 3000 people.

There are also 1600 voters in the Jessami villages today.

So, the community should be recognized as one of the tribes in the state by the government.

Last year, a request was sent to state government in this connection, but the approval is still being awaited, the former Chairman added.

"Even if there have been some changes in the lifestyle of Chakheshang tribe due to advent of modern era, our main cultural and indigenous identity still remain intact and is being practiced widely among the community", Kanmi said, adding that all the religious, cultural ceremonies and festivals are being observed every year.

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