Khamasom village : Wires present but no power
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 06: Even as Governor DR SS Sidhu had reportedly advised the Power Minister to provide regular power supply to the masses even if it is not supplied to Raj Bhawan, Khamsaom village of Senapati district is not getting electricity since the past fifteen years despite the village being connected by electric wires.

This pathetic story came to light when a team of Manipur Peace and Integrity, (MAPI Council) rushed to this village with media persons to conduct a health camp recently.

With no power villagers do not fear holding the HT wire

Another bizarre situation at the village which the team came across during their stay was that students at Government Junior High School pay tuition fees every month to the School Management and Development Committee for their study.

Village chairman Raomai Joel Yungi told The Sangai Express that the village received the first power supply in June 1992 with the Government providing a connection from Saikul side.

However, Raomai said that it did not last long as electric wires snapped at Yengnoi during the Naga-Kuki clash in 1993 .

Since then nobody from the Government side came to reconnect the line even though villagers had lodged complaints on many occasions, Raomai said and added that taking advantage of no power supply, wires of the entire stretch between Yengnoi and Khamsom, which is about 20 km has been stolen.

As reconnection seems remote, village secretary LP Luckson said, Church and villagers have now bought a generator set to conduct important functions and Sunday Church services.

The village has to shell out Rs 300 to 400 every Sunday, he added.

So, Luckson said that the 100 KV transformer installed in front of the village Church has now become a piece of decoration.

As Government failed to provide SK oil to the village, villagers have to travel 60 km to reach Senapati spending Rs 80 per head in fare to purchase SK oil which is Rs 30 per litre, Luckson added.

Expressing dissatisfaction over power problem of the village, MAPI Council advisor Hareshwar Goswami told The Sangai Express that the organisation would urge Manipur Renewable Energy Development Agency (MANIREDA) to install solar lamps at the village.