Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, December 17 2008:
INFORMATION CENTRE for Hill Areas (ICHAM) and Kuki Students' Organisation (KSO) have distributed 75 bags of rice to the famine stricken people of Henglep in Churachandpur district.
Office bearers of the two organisations distributed the bags of rice through the village chiefs at a simple function held today at KKL complex at Churachandpur district headquarter.
Speaking on the occasion, president of ICHAM, N Rajendro @ Boy said that due to plots hatched by certain people, a feeling of alienation arose amongst the indigenous people who have been living together with love and harmony for ages.
At this juncture, it is the objective of ICHAM to rebuild the bond of love and brotherhood between the peoples of the hills and the plains.
ICHAM wants to extend help in whichever manner it can to the people living in far-flung and remote areas of Manipur in their times of need, he said.
He further said that certain smart leaders of the hills people had put considerable amount of the funds meant for the development of the hill areas through the Department of Tribal Development in their own pocket over the years.
It was the main reason for the bad roads, non-existence of hospitals and non-availability of electricity and drinking wate in the hill areas.
If the hill villagers cultivate the habit of inquiring into the funds meant for them, who were pilfering the funds, no leaders could pilfer the funds, Rajendro pointed out.
He said, ICHAM in association with KSO would put pressures on the state government to repair and improve the bad roads in the district, to set up hospital and schools under the Special Plan Assistance.
He also extended warm Christmas greetings to the people of Churachanpur district.
Chairman of Henglep Areas Chiefs' Associations, Sena Vaiphei said, rats had eaten up crops in around 150 villages located in Henglep sub-division.
As a result of the rats' invasion, the villagers were facing famine.
In addition to the problem of food scarcity, the villagers were facing hardship due to bad road communication and non-availability of electricity and drinking water.
Under these circumstances, the villagers thought that they would not be able to celebrate this year's Christmas with gaiety and peace in mind.
But since ICHAM and KSO have presented 75 bags of rice, the villagers would now be able to enjoy the Christmas celebrations, Sena Vaiphei said.
President of KSO, Henglep Division, Lanboi Haokip thanked the ICHAM for having extended magnanimous help to the sufferings villagers of the sub-division.
Many village chiefs of the Henglep sub-division attended the distribution function.