Jiri river changes course, land lost to Assam
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 20 2009: In an alarming development, that has affected the existing territorial boundary, a large tract of fertile land of Manipur has fallen into the territory of neighbouring Assam, after the Jiri river changed its course following massive erosion during every monsoon.

In fact, at least 66 bighas (22 acres) of fertile land of Kamranga, Jiribam, has already merged with Assam as no correctives measures have been taken up by the Irrigation and Flood Control Department (IFCD).

The fertile tract of arable land lost to Assam after Jiri river changed its course

The IFCD office of Jiribam, located at Lei-ngangpokpi has been lying abandoned for the last many years reducing it to a cowshed.

The most alarming fact is that the remaining portion of Kamranga is also likely to be merged Assam, if preventive measures were not taken up by the authority concerned at the earliest possible.

The portion of Kamranga which is still in Manipur is about 70 bighas and it is also getting eroded on daily basis during the current monsoon.

Forizuddin of Kamranga, lamented that despite repeated appeals to the Govt to check the soil erosion, nothing has been done till date.

He also informed that due to fear of erosion around 25 families who are dwelling in Kamranga have not be able to build proper houses and continuing to live in namesake houses just to protect themselves from the vagaries of weather.

The day would not be far when the remaining Kamranga residents become citizens of Assam if the apathy of the Government of Manipur continues, he added.

The president of All Jiribam United Clubs' Association (AJUCA) M Maipaksana has come down heavily on the Government of Manipur for remaining as a mute spectator even when the territory of the State has been threatened by natural forces.

He also criticised the Government for the alleged step-motherly treatment meted out to the people of Jiribam in every sphere.

It is high time for the Government of Manipur to resurrect the defunct IFCD office of Jiribam and so the needful so as to prevent further loss of Manipur's land to the neighbouring State.