Jessami moves on far from Manipur's madding politics
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Pamreiso Shimray

Jessami (Ukhrul), November 06 2011: A long winding road to the northern fringe of Manipur takes one to Jessami, a small town perching on the edge of rugged Ekeketfu Malu (mountain) range in Ukhrul, with the natives known for ages by language and culture akin to the tribes in neighbouring Nagaland.

Jessami is distantly situated but by far the most developing town in the hills of Manipur now.

The recently inaugurated public utility services by Union Home Minister P Chidambaram on November 2 enhanching this testimony further.

Where in the interior of Manipur can one find all these - SDO cum TD office complex, power sub-station, SDPO office, primary health centre and upgradation of high school to secondary level - at one go? It is only in Jessami, home to about 2367 (2010 census) people and located 193 kms from Imphal along the National Highway 150 .

Jessami is also a historically significant town.

During the World War II, the Indian forces first came into contact with the Japanese here on March 28, 1944 .

The Assam Regiment bravely fought the advancing Japanese troops, wrotes Captain Peter Steyn in his memoir "The Battle of Kohima" .

In spite of the maddening politics clouding the state, the natives move on with life and untouched by the intricate game of ethnic assertions.

Even in the thick of demand for "Naga integration" and "alternative arrangement" by Naga organisations, the Jessami denizens are proud to be in Manipur.

"�We want to be in Manipur," the village chairman Ayete Wezah proudly said in his speech in presence of Union Home Minister and state Chief Minister.

The Jessami natives are generally known as the Tangkhul Nagas.

In linguistic and cultural context, however, they have their roots in Chakhesang tribe.

Its dialect is same as the Kheza dialect, one of the varieties spoken by the Chakeshangs.

"We speak the same tongue," said Tselo, a banker who hails from Jessami.

Its cultural affinity was also clearly and incidentally depicted in the folk dance performed by the villagers during Chidambaram's visit.

Even the prevalent bandh in Manipur has a negligible impact on its mundane life.

"There may be blockade in Manipur, but business here goes usual and thriving," said Joyson, a student.

Jessami is a transit point for some towns of Nagaland.

For essential needs, people do not depend on supplies from Ukhrul or Imphal.

"For us, it is nearer and easier to go to Kohima and Dimapur," says Kevi, a businesswoman.

In comparison with other parts in Ukhrul, Jessami is much better off in terms of essential services like tele-communication and electricity.

It gets a good mobile connectivity link and power supply from Nagaland.

The natives here can hardly speak Tangkhul and Manipuri.

Despite this, its political attachment is seen to be matchless.

On November 2, people turned out in hundreds to give a fitting welcome to Chidambaram's maiden and Ibobi's fourth visit.

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