Rollback formation of Kpi dist : GMF
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 29 2023: The Global Manipur Federation (GMF) has called for re-organisation of districts and roll back the formation of Kangpokpi district.

The rollback of the creation of Kangpokpi district and reorganisation of districts are crucial and urgent, the GMF asserted in a statement.

If the people of Manipur aspire to be progressive, reconfiguring the districts to encompass both hills and valleys is the most sustainable approach for harmonious co-existence and collective well-being for all, it said.

Elucidating on the urgent and crucial need to rollback the creation of Kangpokpi district, the GMF pointed out that over the past few months, the new district (Kangpokpi) has become a strategically dominant ground for carrying out violent activities against the Meiteis in the valley.

The 1,698 sq km land area, encompassing over 50 per cent of the valley, has blocked access to the valley.

Kangpokpi district comes into direct contact with other districts, enclosing the south, southeast, and southwest valley, namely Churachandpur, Chandel, and Tengnoupal, which could potentially be controlled by the Chin-Kuki militants again.

They are using the advantage of their dominant area, extending throughout Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur, Thoubal, and Kakching.

They have been perpetrating various heinous crimes, including killings and arson, against the Meiteis, the GMF said.

It is believed that the resources utilised in violent activities, including arms and ammunition, are transported there, and criminals move in the areas without disturbances from Government authorities.

Thus, at the moment, the entire valley area, largely inhabited by the Meitei community, is surrounded by a hostile ethnic population of the Chin-Kukis disturbing the relationship and disconnecting transport and communication between the two indigenous peoples of the land, Nagas and Meiteis, it said.

Secondly, considering the present reality, there is a demand for the reorganisation of district boundaries and a reshaping of administrative maps, as this could mitigate the illegal activities of an absolute community or violent group in Manipur.

Retention of district boundaries based on hills and valleys poses a real danger to the progressive future of Manipur.

An exclusive attitude and actions that favour only a particular ethnic group have proven to be more adverse than providing broader and inclusive benefits in such a tiny State, it said.

Also, people living in the hills, for example, near Ningthoukhong, experience a great deal of inconvenience in commuting to Deputy Commissioners' offices in either Churachandpur or Kangpokpi for related works, it said.

It also mentioned that the Nagas and the United Naga Council stood against the Congress Government's move of creating Kangpokpi and other new districts on December 8, 2016 .

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