In absence of doctors, PHSC chowkidar prescribes medicines!
Govt apathy writ large on Senapati villages
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 23: The assurance of the Congress led SPF Government that it would stress on the development of the hill districts, especially the interior areas, has proved to be a big dud if one cares to take a look at the interior villages of Senapati district.

In fact so pathetic is the condition in some of the villages, that in Liyai village, it has now become the job of the chowkidar of the Primary Health Sub-Centre to prescribe medicines to the villagers, since none of the staff posted there have bothered to report for duty.

This was conveyed to a team of reporters by the secretary of the village, Sou, which had gone to cover the campaign launched by the Information Centre for Hill Areas, Manipur (ICHAM) recently.

The PHSC at Laii stands in tatters highlighting the acute lack of medical provisions in the village

The campaign was conducted in the remote villages of Tungjoy, Saranamei, Liyai, Laii, Chingmai Khunou, Chingmai Khullen and Paomata, all under Paomata Block of Mao sub-division of Senapati district.

Apart from officials of Tribal Development Department, Poumai Students' Union president Daani David also accompanied the team.

During the visit, the team witnessed the three-room primary school of Liyai village in a pathetic condition having no desk, bench and black boards.

According to villagers, Saranamei and Chingmai Khunou villages do not have any Government school.

However, the Village Council is planning to start a school of its own in Saranamei village, while a school is being run in Chingmai Khunou on a 50-50 partnership basis with the Government and Village Council, the villagers added.

Bumpy and dusty, the inter village roads in this remote part of the State are still waiting to get black-topped for the first time.

Poumai Students' Union president Daani said, "No vehicles, except Gypsys can reach these villages during rainy seasons." Many patients die on the way to Hospitals in Senapati and Imphal, he added.

Construction of proper road is the basic requirement if you want to bring development in the area, Daani said.

The media team witnessed villagers travelling miles to fetch a bucket of water consuming 2 to 3 hours.

A social worker of Chingmai Khullen, Z Hriinyii said that 10 percent running bill has reportedly been taken out by the contractor for the construction of Rs 39 lakh water reservoir in his village.

However, the work is yet to start, he added.

The media team also witnessed a water tank constructed in 1995 gathering dust and rust in Saranamei village.

Health and sanitation are the main concerns of Liyai village as the villagers rear cattle in their own houses.

Daani said that both villagers and cattle lose their lives in group if a disease hits any village.

Villagers also urged the Government through the media team to depute a doctor or a nurse or atleast a chemist, and also a veterinary doctor to every village of the area.

The media team witnessed that construction works for doctors and nurses quarters were in full swing at Laii, while on the other hand the building of the Primary Health Centre had no walls and wooden floors.

"It will be blown in the next storm", opined a villager accompanying the team.

Villagers of Chingmai Khunou emphasised on job opportunities.

Village chairman RA Maikho said that the village has more Government servants under Nagaland Government than Manipur Government.

He also said that the villagers sell their agricultural produce to Nagaland, as the side has better road connectivity.

Villagers of Paomata complained that the SDO and other Government officials come to this village only to celebrate Independence Day and Republic Day.

Teachers in Government schools also send their substitutes, while they draw their salaries at their homes.

Border villagers of Laii and Tungjoy expressed apprehension over the encroachment of land by neighbouring villages of Nagaland.

The chief of Laii Village said that the village of Laii Sarafii was established to protect their land by sending a handful of villagers from Laii, while villagers of Tungjoy are waiting for intervention from the Manipur Government in the land dispute with Khezhe-keno village of Nagaland.

ICHAM president briefing the villagers said that the main aim of the campaign is to remind them that there is a Department meant only for tribal people, which is the Tribal Development Department.

He also urged the Government to conduct the District Council elections soon, and distribute welfare material in the district headquarters instead of distributing them at Imphal.

Officials of Tribal Development Department informed the villagers in details about the various tribal welfare schemes and facilities available for them during the campaign.

Fifty blankets, 50 mosquito nets, 10 volleyball nets, 10 volley balls, 10 footballs and four 200-litre water tanks were distributed during the campaign.