Upgradation of Jiri to dist before polls unlikely
Survey work to lay Jiri-Tupul tracks warned to stop, effigy of local MLA Th Debendra burnt
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 18: Despite the intense agitation being launched by the Jiribam District Demand Committee to upgrade the sub-division to the status of a full fledged revenue district, it is highly unlikely that the SPF Government would cave in to the demand before the 9th Assembly election scheduled to be held sometime in February next year.

On the other hand, intensifying its demand, the JDDC has warned the authority concerned to stop the survey work for laying the Jiri-Tupul railway tracks besides consigning to flames the effigy of local MLA and FCS Minister Th Debendra today.

A picture of the grid map of Jiribam sub-division for which the demand to upgrade it to a revenue district has been raised

The JDDC had earlier set December 18 as the deadline to upgrade the subdivision to a revenue district with the warning that if the deadline is not met then the rail survey work would be stopped.

Moreover the JDDC had also warned that the people would sport black badges and hoist black flags at each and every house in Jiribam.

Since the Government did not take up any step to meet the deadline set by the JDDC, black flags were put up at all the shops at Jiribam bazar from yesterday.

Even as strong talks started doing the round that the effigies of Th Debendra were being consigned to the flames at different places of the sub-division, came the news that an effigy of the local MLA was torched near his house at Dibong Awang Leikai today at about 5.10 pm.

Volunteers of the JDDC are suspected to be involved in burning the effigy.

Intensifying its stir the JDDC has asked the survey team stationed at Uchathol to stop the survey work for laying the Jiri-Tupul line with immediate effect.

In this connection, the convenor of the JDDC submitted a written missive to the RITES team, Jiribam asking them to stop the survey work as per the resolution taken during a public meeting.

The written missive asked the team to stop all works related to laying the rail track.

On the other hand following the repeated appeals from different organisations to ease the blockade on the on the Imphal-Jiribam road in view of the upcoming Christmas festival, the blockade may be eased from December 20.However there is as yet no report on the easing of the blockade from the JDDC.

Other than Central Govt offices, essential services and educational institutions, all Govt institutions in Jiribam have been closed since the beginning of the agitation.

Despite the intensifying stir, the State Govt is not likely to announce the upgradation of Jiribam to a full fledged revenue district before the next Assembly election scheduled to be held sometime in February next year.

The election code of conduct will most likely come into force before the SPF Government works things out to announce the upgradation of the sub-division to a district.

Chief Minister O Ibobi had earlier explained that Jiribam will surely be upgraded to a district and had urged the people to be patient as it was only a matter of time.

The SPF Govt could not announce the upgradation of Jiribam as there is Sadar Hills to contend with where a similar demand has been simmering for long.

Significantly the Delimitation Commission had given the green signal to upgrade Jiribam to a revenue district.