Joy At Khengjoi

By Lunminthang Haokip *

The crowd waiting at Khengjoi, situated 46 Km east of Chakpikarong Block hq in Chandel

The Big Bash: Khengjoi village, situated 46 Km east of Chakpikarong Block hq in Chandel district, Manipur, came alive on 12th November 2011. The village-folks who gathered from the neighbourhood at Khengjoi, the newly-declared SDO/BDO hq, came with a heart that pulsated heavy in anticipation of the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Manipur, Shri O.Ibobi's historic maiden visit.

The chief of the SDHQ village, Mr Thongkhothang, could scarce hide his blush in playing unworthy host to the top-notch VVIP of the state. He saw to it that elaborate arrangements were made to felicitate the visiting dignitaries with the pomp and fanfare it deserved. The entire village was engaged in a flurry of reception activities.

The Recent Developments: For many decades in the past, the 61 Km-long Chakpikarong–Lonpi–Joupi–Khengjoi–Molcham road was used by petty businessmen as cattle-trade route between Myanmar and parts of Manipur. Four-wheelers could ply on the dirt-track during the dry seasons on all portions excepting the steep Kemdo stretch. The 14 Km unpaved path between Khengjoi SDC hq and Kemdo was denied widening and shingling by the burdensome bottleneck of the one-km serpentine up-hill rocky Kemdo cliff-drive.

But thanks to PMGSY, the motorists' nightmare of the past had been diverted to the other side of the cliff for even two-wheel drives to go down and climb up the erstwhile dreaded steep-path without any tension. Drivers have reasons to go gung-ho at Kemdo, which now is dutifully guarded by personnel of 22 Grenadiers whose Bn Hq is situated at Moltuh on the Chahmol-New Samtal road.

Administrative Preparations: Orders recently issued by the Government of Manipur upgraded the former office of the SDC/BDO, Khengjoi, as the office of the SDO/BDO, Khengjoi and a new Khangborol T.D Block was created within the erstwhile Khengjoi Block for administrative and developmental convenience. The DC/Chandel, Mr. Th. Chittaranjan Singh, and his team got cracking to get things ready for the Hon'ble CM of Manipur to inaugurate Khangborol BHQ office on 24 October, 2011.

But the helicopter carrying the CM could not land at Khangborol BHQ due to bad weather. A fresh inauguration event was arranged quickly at Khengjoi on 12th November, 2001. The ADGP(Ops), SP/Chandel, ED/DRDA, Chandel, EE(Elect)/Chandel, EE(PHE)/Chandel, BDO/Khengjoi, the Officer-in-charge of the 22 Grenadier outpost at Khengjoi and the local village chiefs and youth provided logistics support in getting the stage set for symbolic opening of the two new offices at the premises of the office of the SDC/Khengjoi.

Grand Arrival At Khengjoi Helipad: Right from 9:15 a.m on 12th November, 2011, DC/CDL, SP/CDL, ADC/Moreh, ASP/MRH, CMO/CDL and BDO/KJY were on their feet at the broadened and levelled Khengjoy playground-cum-helipad, all geared up to receive the visiting VVIPs. The cloudy weather on that day made one wonder as to whether there would be a repeat of the Khangborol anti-climax.

At 10:30 a.m, much to the relief of the officials-on-duty and the joy of the residents of the area, the Pawar Hans helicopter that ferried the CM and co. landed safely. The Chief Minister was accompanied by Shri Md. Alauddin Khan, Hon'ble Minister (RD & PR), Mr Thangso Baite, Hon'ble MP and Mr. Thangkholun Haokip, Hon'ble MLA. The criss-crossing of bullet-proof vehicle with other escort and official four-wheelers at the helipad, momentarily made the otherwise isolated country-side ambience to appear like a busy urban hub.

The Speeches: The circle MLA, Mr. Thangkholun Haokip was the first to address the public. He thanked the Chief Minister and the RD & PR Minister for their impartiality and concern in getting the special IAY package approved by the GOI to rehabilitate 1500 ill-fate-affected families of Khengjoi Block.

The MLAS also waxed eloquent on the magnanimity of the SPF Government in general and the Minister, RD & PR in particular in approving his proposals to link all the three ranges of Khengjoi Sub-Division, Khongkang range, Khengjoi range and Toitung range with road connectivity under PMGSY. Special mention was made about the presence of the Hon'ble MP that added honour and dignity to the occasion.

CM of Manipur, Shri O.Ibobi Singh speaking at Khengjoi, situated 46 Km east of Chakpikarong Block hq in Chandel

More Paeans of Praise: Infrastructural development of Chandel district gained momentum with the implementation of RD & PR schemes like BRGF, Backward Region Grants Fund, from year 2007-08. MOBC's undertaking titled MsDP – Multi-Sectoral Developmental Programme, created additional assets for Chandel district which was declared a backward district along with Churachandpur and Tamenglong districts.

Every MORD fund for the State was routed through department of RD & PR of which Shri Md. Alauddin Khan is the Minister. It was in the fitness of things that he himself was present on the joyous occasion of the opening of the SDO/BDO office at Khengjoy. The RD Minister also lauded the Chief Minister for having chosen him, the lone Muslim minority MLA in the present Assembly, as one of the 11 Cabinet Ministers in the latter's ministry.

Speech From The MP: Flaunting a politically correct attire, Kurta-pajyama with matching Nehru-jacket, Mr. Thangso Baite was in his elements. For a change, he spoke in Kuki. The MP challenged the village chiefs and inhabitants of Khengjoi Sub-Division to cultivate a fresh outlook in proportion to the change of administrative set-up.

Khengjoi no more is an obscure backblock village it was earlier. The BHQ is hitting big times now. In stead of building houses elsewhere, the Chiefs must create housing assets at the BHQ itself and populate the same to become a town to reckon with. The Dongjang-born MP also spoke highly of the Chief Minister for the latter's thoughtfulness to personally tour remote areas of the State in order to find out for himself the pressing issues that need immediate address.

The Address of The Chief Guest: Experience and superior exposure has conferred superior finery on our Hon'ble Chief Minister. Calm and composed, the seasoned orator highlighted the remarkable achievements of SPF Government. For him, partial development of pockets of the valley or the hills is no development. Economic progress can only come full circle when every part of the State gets lifted up on par with the rest.

In response to the demand of the Chiefs Association of Khengjoi Block, the Chief Minister announced, not as a clap-trap, but as an address to genuine need, that in the next Cabinet meeting, decision will be taken to grant two most vital requirements of Khengjoi SDHQ, a Government High School and a PHC. Needless to say that the crowd went wild over the surprise package that came as a gift from the man who matters most in the State.

Appeal For verdict: As if to remind the people of the region of their responsibility as thinking citizenry of Manipur, the Chief Minister appealed to the burgeoning Dingpi-border area combined crowd to equally love every community of the State, as we had originated from a single family, and be more accommodative and tolerate to one another to knit and strengthen the integrity of our common land. The meeting came to a reluctant close with cheers and chants in support of the incumbent Government. Mr Thangjamang moderated the proceedings of the event reasonably well.

Lunminthang Haokip at Khengjoi, situated 46 Km east of Chakpikarong Block hq in Chandel

Lunminthang Haokip

* Lunminthang Haokip, a resident of Old Lambulane, Imphal and posted at Moreh, Manipur is a regular contributor to e-pao.net. He can be contacted at lunminthang(dot)haokip(at)gmail(dot)com or his blog here
This article was webcasted on November 15, 2011.