Tamei, Tharon reel under poor connectivity
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 23 2026: The only road connecting Tamenglong District Headquarters with Tamei and Tharon has deteriorated severely, making vehicular movement difficult and causing immense hardship to a large number of people.

The situation has been further aggravated by the prevailing tension between the Naga and Kuki communities, despite the road serving as a lifeline for residents of several villages.

The distance between Tamenglong District Headquarters and Tharon is around 25 km, while the distance between the district headquarters and Tamei is approximately 49 km.

Tamei, Tharon reel under poor connectivity

Over 30 villages are situated between Tamenglong District Headquarters and Tamei such as Tharon, Sampram, Piulong, Langmei, Eleng, Kawalong, Atang Khullen, Chaton, Dunong, Lenglong etc .

Tamei, a sub-division of Tamenglong district, is inhabited by around 40,000 people.

Speaking to The Sangai Express, Guimachangbou Marenmai (38), a resident of Tharon, said that the people of Tharon depend on Tamenglong District Headquarters for almost all their essential needs.

As such, he said, the road connecting the village with the district headquarters is of vital importance to the residents.

He also said that the road is the only route connecting the area to Imphal and also provides connectivity to Nagaland.

Saying that the road, however, has deteriorated severely due to prolonged neglect and lack of repairs, he added that the route is now covered with mud, making it difficult even for 4x4 vehicles to ply along it.

He said that people living in the area between Tharon and Tamei Sub-Division are now facing immense difficulties due to the poor condition of the road.

Highlighting the hardships being faced by the villagers, Guimachangbou said that Tharon is inhabited by around 2,300 Liangmai people.

He also said that the village, which is closely associated with the history of Manipur, continues to lag behind in various fields of development such as healthcare, infrastructure etc .

He also said that the literacy rate in the village remains quite low.

While the rest of the world is rapidly advancing in terms of technology and connectivity, Tharon does not have even a single mobile tower, he complained.

He said that the villagers are unable to avail themselves of various Government schemes and other benefits due to the lack of internet connectivity.

Saying that mobile networks are sometimes available in elevated areas of the village from a tower erected in Tamenglong, he added that residents have to travel to such areas whenever they need to access mobile connectivity.

He also said that there is no point in residents of Tharon owning smartphones as there is no mobile connectivity in the village.

He added that they do not even have access to information through radio.

Moreover, there is not even a pharmacy in the village, let alone a healthcare facility, he said.

Saying that they mostly rely on traditional medicines prepared by local elders for minor illnesses, he added they travel to Tamenglong District Headquarters or Imphal for serious medical conditions.

Travelling to Imphal for treatment is unaffordable for many residents, as most of them are from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, he said, urging the Government to take immediate steps to improve healthcare facilities and road connectivity in the area.