Govt sources negate Kuki MLAs' "neglected" claim; No SDF released for whole State
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 01 2024: Tengnoupal, Kangpokpi, Churachandpur and Pherzawl, where Kuki-Zomi-Hmar majorly reside have been "neglected" and there is "no effective governance" in these districts, Kuki MLAs reportedly claimed in a memorandum submitted to the Union Minister of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) on May 29 .

This claim came even as Kuki-Zomi-Hmar MLAs continue to hold key Ministerial posts in the BJP-led Manipur Government.

While the communities under the larger Kuki umbrella have as many as 10 MLAs, among them, Nemcha Kipgen and Letpao Haokip hold Ministerial posts.

Nemcha Kipgen is the Minister of Textiles, Commerce and Industries and Letpao Haokip is the Tribal Affairs Minister.

The widely shared memorandum, which the Sangai Express couldn't verify independently, claims the "absence of effective governance" has adversely impacted development and administration in the districts.

"...since the outbreak of ethnic violence between Meiteis and our [Kuki] community in Manipur on May 3, 2023, development works in the Hill Districts of Manipur such as Tengnoupal, Kangpokpi, Churachandpur and Pherzawl, which are inhabited by the Kuki-Zomi-Hmar community have been blatantly neglected by the State Government, and effective governance is absent in these districts, thereby adversely impacting on development and administration in these areas," read the memorandum.

During the past one year, development works in the said areas have been halted as the funds for road construction and other infrastructure development, including the Special Development Fund for tribal MLAs @ 1 crore per MLA per year have been stopped by the Manipur Government, asserted the Kuki MLAs in the memorandum.

It further accused the State Government of "deliberately excluding" Kuki-Zomi-Hmar dominated districts from a priority list it has submitted to the North-Eastern Council for various development works.

While the Kuki MLAs couldn't be reached for comments, highly placed sources in the Government said the memorandum lacks credibility and is based on "lies" .

Countering the claims point by point and divulging the facts of the matters, the sources said the Special Development Fund which is found mentioned in the memorandum was not released in the year 2023-24 for any district due to non-submission of UCs (Utilisation Certificates) for funds released in 2022-23 .

The sources further stated that the works in the districts of Tengnoupal, Kangpokpi, Churachandpur and Pherzawl were affected by law and order problems in 2023 and 2024.This was the same in the valley areas also.

Another issue was difficulty in movement of materials and labour across the State which affected the implementation of works.

Notably, all development projects hit a pause when Manipur was hit by the May 3, 2023 violence.

Even as the violence continued for months, there was a mass exodus of labourers and contractors belonging to the Meitei community and non-Manipuris from districts in the hills including Churachandpur and Tengnoupal.

When the violence was at its peak on May 9, as many as 99 labourers belonging to Meitei community were rescued from Churachandpur district and safely brought to Bishnupur district.

Moreover, heavy machinery used in various development projects were also burnt and destroyed in Churachandpur and other districts in the hills during the peak of the conflict.

Meanwhile, on PMGSY and PWD related projects, the Government sources said developmental works resumed in most districts in the later part of 2023 .

PMGSY, PWD related works and Highway projects etc restarted in Churachandpur and Kangpokpi with the improvement of law and order.

Water supply projects under Externally Aided Projects are also continuing along with civil works in these districts, said the sources.

The sources, however, stated that most projects across the State have been impacted due to huge loss of revenue due to the unrest.

The need to provide funds for relief, security and elections, among others, had also made it more difficult for the State to fund projects, they added.

Regarding NEC proposals for 2023-24 sent by Manipur, the sources said it (proposals) also included projects for Churachandpur and Kangpokpi districts for encouraging and adopting horticulture crops to counter shifting cultivation.

In addition to the DoNER projects, the four districts of Tengnoupal, Kangpokpi, Churachandpur and Pherzawl also continue to get funding under Externally Aided Projects and Centrally sponsored schemes across various sectors, apart from State funded projects, said the Government sources.

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