Poor connectivity, Govt apathy dent emotional integrity
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 15 2023: Emotional integrity among the people of the State can be boosted and made much stronger if there is adequate transport infrastructure and connectivity with all the remote villages of the State.

It has been found that the villagers in the interior parts of Manipur-Myanmar border region in Kamjong district have been suffering from lack of both emotional and physical connectivity, and despondence.

When a team of media recently visited some interior parts of Manipur- Myanmar border region in Kamjong district, villagers of Chatric Khunou and Chatric Khullen expressed scores of grievances including emotional pain amid their warm hospitality, kindness and simplicity.

Situated over 150 Kms from Imphal, these villagers are still living aloof from the rest of the world due to poor transportation and connectivity.

Poor connectivity, Govt apathy dent emotional integrity

The PMGSY road that connects these villages with Kamjong was said to have been sanctioned in 2005 .

However, a major portion of the same road is yet to be black-topped and it is very bumpy till today.

Villagers said that they have to ferry their products or goods till Kamjong by hiring private and selective vehicles as no passenger or transport service has reached the interior parts of Kam-jong district, including Cha- tric Khunou and Chatric Khullen.

Apam Phungsok, the Chairman of Chatric Khunou said with resentment that he is doubtful whether the Government is treating the villagers of Chatric Khunou as the citizens of this State.

In a voice suggesting deep emotional anguish over the Government's negligence, he said that the villagers are compelled to bear a lot of difficulties and expenses when it comes to healthcare and education sectors.

"There is a PHC at Kam-jong but the villagers have to go to hospitals either in Imphal or the only private hospital at Ukhrul when they get ill as the only Government healthcare setup at Kamjong has no proper facilities for even the most common health problems", the Chairman said adding that childbirth is the most difficult situation faced by the villagers of both Chatric Khunou and Chatric Khullen.

On being enquired about the benefits of Government schemes, Apam claimed that the rice given under NFSA costs Rs 10 per Kg in the village although the actual price fixed by the Government is Rs 3 .

Jackson Lunglen (45), a villager of Chatric Khunou decried that the villagers are unable to achieve any kind socio-economic growth till date although they have been sweating and toiling in agricultural and horticultural activities since many years back.

Lack of educational facilities in the village and nearby areas has been draining out a huge portion of the villagers' income as the villagers are compelled to send their children to Imphal, Kamjong and Ukhrul for schooling.

"The only Government school in Chatric Khunou can no longer provide proper education to the village children as it badly lacks teachers and is being run by hiring some literate youths through monetary contribution of the villagers", Jackson lamented.

Same is the case at Chatric Khullen.

The issues and grievances raised by Chatric Khullen and Chatric Khunou are either common or quite similar.

Nevertheless, the remote mountainous terrain of the villages bordering Myanmar in Kamjong district is a place of historical significance having ample potential for tourism although the infrastructure development is taking place at a very slow pace.

At least a few individuals like well known archivist Mutua Bahadur and Art and Culture Joint Director Keithellakpam Dinamani have been searching for some artefacts with historical importance left at this remote place.

However, multiple relics, including a stone engraved with the footprint of Maharaja Chandrakirti Singh and another engraved with the image of Hindu God Hanuman have disappeared from its original positions, owing to prolonged negligence on the part of Government authorities.

These relics were said to have been discovered earlier at the confluence of Sanalok and Nampalok, and Chatric Khullen and their pictures were found in one of Mutua Bahadur's books.