By RL Kamei
IMPHAL, Jul 25: The accumulated failure of the state government to meet the basic requirements of the villagers of the Kasom Khullen Sub-Division of Ukhrul district has led to the sentiment of total alienation from the mainland state.

During a eventful visit a team of media persons at the sub-division organized by the Development Association of the sub-division which commenced from the 23rd of July inspected the road conditions, power supply, healthcare system, school infrastructure and other related development programs along the Kasom Khullen block of Ukhrul District.

The essential services were found lacking and the residents of the sub-division have voiced their concern. The KSDDA along with media persons covered 19 villages which comes under the district namely Mawai village, Khunthak, Tarong, Nambasi  Khullen, Kangkum, Punomram,  Bungdung, Kasom Khullen etc. among others.

The investigating team found out that including Mawai, most of the villages are deemed as highly malaria prone areas. The primary health sub-centre at Mawai was not functional as there were no doctors and staff to assist and aid the ailing persons at the remote area. Further residents complaining on the lack of attention from the side of the State Govt. voiced their woes regarding the sufferings incurred by the residents of Mawai on lack of proper transport for the ailing persons which had resulted in deaths in suspected Japanese Encephalitis cases. Moreover, three persons were also suspected to be suffering from JE at present and there were no doctors to give treatment.

The premises of the heath centre was leased out to the government for a sum of Rs 1000 per annum and rent is still not given in time, stated S. Matuingai, headman of the village. Chairman of the KKSDDA Jojo Robertson briefed mediapersons that the SPf government had not taken up any substantial development programs for the sub division.The elected persons had promised a number of developmental work for the same whereas there is no reflection of any programmes being carried out and the hill district is being treated in a step motherly manner by the state government, he said.

Addressing the woes, the matter was taken up with the Chief Minister for two consecutive times and with other concerned head of departments. The public had expected the development of the roads of the interior areas since the work minister had visited the said areas and taken a first hand experience on the nature of the deplorable conditions of the roads. The minister had promised to repair the roads which unfortunately is still to commence.

Commenting on the lack of electricity, he said that different predicaments are faced by the 19 villages and most of the villages have been reeling under irregularities of power supply while some of the villages disclosed that power has been cut off for more than 10 years.

The only BSNL tower has also been abandoned after few months due to irregular supply of petrol as the transport system has failed.

Jojo Robertson further informed that they would restrict heavy vehicles carrying logs during rainy season stating that it has been the main cause of the deplorable condition of the road, adding he appealed for co-operation from the transporters. He said that the reason behind it was due to the total negligence of the government who despite repeated approach failed to address the grievances of the villagers of the sub-division.

According to S. Kashung, a leader of the Kashung village, electricity, school, health sub-center are present only for name sake. Further, he narrated that they have lost their faith on the electrical wire over the village but asserted that the department usually comes to collect bill. The school and the health sub-center are sharing the same fate.

Further, they warned that if the government fails to give any attention from this moment on then the people of the sub-division will resort to shutting down of all government run institutes in the area.

The people of the area are of the feeling that every announcement or commitment declared by the concerned authority is like robbing the wealth meant for the people and the people have no longer trust for such commitments, said Thuirei, another village elder.