Boundary disputes haunt Jiribam-Tamenglong
Source: The Sangai Express

Jiribam, June 12 2019: As a fallout of some people from a particular community making preposterous claims to the staff of All Jiribam Road Transport Drivers Union (AJRTDU) that the area where the AJRTDU branch office is situated (Gularthol) is part of Tamenglong, the Meitei Convention Jiribam (MCJ) has announced that three villages (which were initially a part of Jiribam) namely Tatbung, Kamrangha Khasia Punji and Phaitoul village which were included in the creation of Tamenglong district, will be reclaimed as a part of Jiribam.

Speaking to media persons at Jiri News Network conference hall today, MCJ vice president Langpoklakpam Chaoba said that on June 10, at around 3.10 pm, some groups of people belonging to a particular community vandalised the signboard of AJRTDU branch office situated at Gularthol, threatened the staff at the office and demanded the office to be shifted from the area immediately claiming that the said area is a part of Tamenglong.

Strongly condemning the incident, he expressed desire for all the CSOs and stakeholders concerned to come together and reach an amicable solution to the issue.

However, if the situation escalates, then the State Government will have to bear all the responsibilities, he cautioned.

On the other hand, executive member of MCJ, Hamom Dhani Meitei stated that the act perpetrated by the group of people, suspected to be from Tamenglong, as well as their words and manners shown to the staff of AJRTDU during the said incident, were highly uncivilised and arrogant.

Urging those concerned not to repeat such act in the future, he said that Manipur is for all the indigenous people and not just only for the Meiteis or the Nagas or the Kukis or others, he added.

He then demanded the State Government to properly demarcate the boundary of Tamenglong and Jiribam immediately and explained that the Government should realise that such a situation has the potential to disturb the peace and harmony existing between the various communities.

Yengkhom Ibomcha, assistant general secretary of MCJ proposed all to respect the people of Jiribam if the said area indeed falls under Tamenglong and for those concerned to respect the fact if the area is found to fall under Jiribam.

Warning that MCJ will not take any act of highhandedness and arrogance lightly, he said that MCJ welcomes any attempt for official reconciliation and agreement with open arms.

However, if the situation persists, MCJ will take up all necessary steps to reclaim Tatbung, Kamrangha Khasia Punji and Phaitoul villages which were included in the creation of Tamenglong but were initially a part of Jiribam district, he warned.

MCJ general secretary Mutum Hemanta Mangang informed that a memorandum concerning the issue was submitted to the Chief Minister today and said that the memo explained that in December of 2014, Tamenglong DC, C Arthur and Jiribam ADC Y Iboyaima Singh and other officials conducted a spot verification regarding the boundary between the two districts.

The memo appealed the State Government to bring an amiable solution at the earliest and warned that failure to do so will possibly result in undesirable results in the future, for which the Government has to bear full responsibility, he added.

On the other hand, International Peace and Social Advancement (IPSA) has also demanded the State Government to bring an immediate end to the boundary dispute.

Speaking to media persons at IPSA office at Keishampat today, its president Joychandra Konthoujam said that such problems have often cropped up in the past too but the Government has not taken up any concrete solutions to bring a permanent resolution to these issues, except resorting to only some short term fixes.

Such lapses on the part of the Government will result in tension and friction among the various communities residing in the State, he warned.

Stressing on the importance of reorganising the districts of the State at the earliest, Joychandra appealed the Government to take up the necessary steps immediately.

Speaking about the problem prone areas, he pointed out that Torbung Bangla, between Bishnupur and Churachandpur district, is one such area and explained that the area falls under the revenue district of Bishnupur and the Meitei villages caste their votes at Kumbi AC.

However, the tribal or hill villages caste their votes at Henglep AC, he added.

Such issues are also present in Pallel (between Tengnoupal and Kakching), Sandangsenba Maring and Andro (Imphal East and Kangpokpi), Gwalabati (Ukhrul and Imphal East), Seijang and Silent villages (situated between Ukhrul and Imphal East), he said, urging the Government to take up necessary steps to avoid these situation at the earliest.

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