Prior to 1973 then Ukhrul district had four ACs : Revive Kamjong AC call rung out
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 13 2020: Anticipating a delimitation exercise soon, Phungyar Assembly Constituency MLA, K Leishiyo has appealed authorities concerned to restore the Kamjong AC to its original structure prior to 1973 .

Speaking to The Sangai Express this afternoon, K Leishiyo said that the Kamjong AC was bifurcated by the third delimitation in 1973 and it gave away more than 35 villages to Saikul AC and Ukhrul.

When Kamjong was part of Ukhrul district prior to 1973, there were 43-Phungyar AC, 44-Kamjong AC, 45-Chingai AC and 46-Ukhrul AC .

Prior to 1973 then Ukhrul district had four ACs : Revive Kamjong AC call rung out

Now there are only three, Ukhrul, Phungyar and Chingai.

In the State Assembly elections held in 1972, the year Manipur got Statehood, K Envey was elected from 44-Kamjong AC.

Rishang Keishing was elected from 43-Phungyar AC, P Peter from 45-Chingai and Yangmaso Shaiza from Ukhrul AC.

After delimitation in 1973, besides losing some villages to Ukhrul, Kamjong shed about 35 villages and were incorporated into Saikul AC.

Now, these villages with a total population of about 70,000 have been turned into minorities in Ukhrul and Saikul AC, he said.

As they are minorities in their respective Constituencies, the people of these villages have many grievances and hardships.

They have not been able to elect their representatives and are deprived of opportunities and rights, he asserted.

Kamjong at present has an area of about a little more than 2,000 square kilometres with a population of about 46,000 .

Restoring Kamjong AC to its original state prior to 1973 would enable the Constituency embrace its people who have been reduced to the status of minorities and increase administrative efficiency, Leishiyo said.

The planned delimitation this time depends on the direction of the Court.

The fourth delimitation in 2004 had failed to realise the aspirations of the people.

If the planned delimitation this time fails again to restore Kamjong AC to its original state, it would be doing injustice to the people.

The people's aspiration should be heard and justice should prevail, he said.