Committee sets 15 April deadline for formation of Phungyar district
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, April 05 2011: The Phungyar District Demand Committee has set April 15 as the deadline for the formation of Phungyar district, bifurcating the present Ukhrul district saying that they would launch various democratic forms of agitations if unheeded.

The committee is demanding separation of four sub-divisions, Phungyar, Kamjong, Kasom Khullen and Sahaphung, of the present Ukhrul district to form a full-fledged revenue district of the state with Phungyar as district HQs.

The deadline was set after a meeting of the committee was held at the official residence of MLA Wungnaoshang Keishing at Babupara today, in which apart from the MLA, chiefs of various villages of the four sub-divisions and leaders of civil organisations attended.

Wungaoshang recalled that the demand for formation of Phungyar district was first put forward on February 11 of this year.

He said, those who object the demand can be treated as anti-democracy and anti-people and appealed to the gathering people to extend their support.

He also spoke about the limitations of Ukhrul being the district HQs.

He said that his own father had not able to reach Ukhrul district HQs during his life time.

Ks Joseph, member of Ukhrul ADC, As Shimreishang, president of the All Tribal Chiefs Association, Shimthar Jajo, president of the Aze Katammnao Long (South Tangkhul Students' Union), T Alun, vice president of the Kuki Innpi Ukhrul district, Gedion Zimmik, president of Sambu Long, Kamjong, K Lovingson, chairman, Leimashen Chingshang, Kasom Khullen were among other who spoke at the meeting.

They all reminded that bifurcation of the four sub-divisions covering an area of 2,700 sq km with a population of over 60,000 have been a long cherished dream of the people living in the area.

Due to poor road connectivity with the district headquarters Ukhrul, the people are socially, economically, financially and educationally backward and need special attention from the government to be on par with the rest of the people of the state, they said.

In order to bring about a better governance for the people living in the area, it is a must to bifurcate the four sub-divisions from the present Ukhrul district to become a separate district and to establish Phungyar as the new district HQs, taking into account the geographical location of Phungyar.

A positive verbal assurance was given by the Chief Minister in response to memoranda/petitions in this regard.

The assurance has not been translated into action till date, they went on to observe.

After a threadbare discussion the meeting resolved a three-point resolution which includes launching of different forms of democratic agitations with the support of political leaders, social organisations and village level organisations etc.

Picketing government offices in Phungyar, Kamjong, Kasom Khullen and Sahamphung sub-divisions and imposing district and Manipur bandhs are the other two resolutions passed by the meeting, Rockson A Shimray, secretary Phungyar District Demand Committee said after the meeting.

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