Senapati village continues to be caught in a time warp
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 24 2025: The absence of healthcare facilities and adequate connectivity continues to affect Phuba Khuman Village, a village in Senapati district.

Phuba Khuman Village, located approximately 70 km from Senapati District Headquarters, falls under the Karong Assembly Constituency and is home to around 2,500 residents of the Poumei tribe.

The village lags behind in healthcare, with no primary healthcare facility available.

The situation is further exacerbated by the lack of quality road infrastructure, heightening concerns among residents.

Speaking to The Sangai Express, Meevai (37) highlighted the plight of the villagers, stating that Phuba Khuman, despite being an old village still doesn't have a single Primary Health Sub Centre (PHSC).

Saying that the nearest healthcare option for them is the Community Health Centre (CHC) at Paomata, approximately 30 kms away, he added that residents often travel to Imphal or Senapati district hospital for more serious medical needs.

He stated that the villagers face significant challenges during medical emergencies, such as in cases of childbirth, due to the lack of healthcare facilities in nearby areas.

People in the city would not understand what it's like to live without any healthcare facility nearby, he sighed.

Highlighting that the village's poor road infrastructure is another major concern, Meevai noted that the blacktopped road connecting their village, done about five years ago, was washed away due to inadequate drainage facilities.

He warned that many portions of the road will become impassable if monsoon rains arrive before repairs are done.

The residents of Phuba Khuman Village are primarily engaged in agriculture, cultivating seasonal crops like cabbage, apples, kiwi etc, while some also practice fish farming, Meevai said and added that they could significantly boost their fish and horticulture production with support from the Fisheries and Horticulture Departments.

He stated that they market their produce at Tadubi, Senapati, Nagaland and Imphal.

Saying that the travel fare to Senapati from their village is Rs 250, and hiring a vehicle is far more expensive, he added that they don't earn much from selling their produce after deducting transportation costs.

Meevai urged the Fisheries and Horticulture Departments to intervene with special measures to support Phuba Khuman Village's farmers.

Travelling to Senapati to collect free seeds distributed by the Government isn't feasible due to high transportation costs, he reasoned and expressed desire for the Government to understand the problems being faced by people in remote and interior villages while implementing any policy and programme.

He, meanwhile, noted that the village has adequate water and electricity.

Regarding education, Meevai mentioned that the village has a Government high school and primary school and the high school students achieved a 100 per cent pass rate in the recent Class X exams conducted by BOSEM.

However, the school faces a shortage of teaching staff, he said, urging the authorities to fill the vacant positions.

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