Advisor of JNGVO P Somarendra on Sunday opposed any plans to revoke the district status of Kakching, achieved on December 8, 2016, emphasising that Kakching’s designation as a district resulted from years of dedicated efforts, and reversing this status would jeopardise local development and governance.
In a press meet held at Library and Information centre Kakching, Somarendra recounted the history of activism that led to Kakching’s district status, noting that before the reorganisation of Manipur’s districts in 1983, there were significant protests demanding for Kakching’s recognition as a district.
In 1994, the JGNVO took decisive action to improve local infrastructure by evicting unauthorised occupants and constructing road dividers, street lamps, footpaths, and drainage systems in the bustling Kakching market during President’s Rule in Manipur.
Somarendra highlighted that on March 25, 1999, Kakching MLA Ksh Irabot successfully introduced a private member’s resolution in the assembly to bifurcate Thoubal and Kakching.
The JNGVO was later invited to contribute to the Committee on the Reorganisation of Administrative and Police Boundaries in Manipur, submitting a detailed proposal and presenting it in person on September 15, 2011. Following this, a memorandum was submitted to the Chief Minister of Manipur on February 10, 2016.
Kakching was officially designated as a district on December 8, 2016, as part of the establishment of seven new districts in Manipur. Subsequently, the Ministry of Communications and the Department of Posts, Government of India, approved the construction of staff quarters and a post office building in Kakching on July 21, 2017, which are now operational.
Somarendra maintained the significant infrastructure improvements which Kakching has experienced since attaining district status. He also condemned the inclusion of Kakching in the tripartite discussions regarding the potential rollback of the seven new districts.
He further stated that a memorandum was submitted to the union home minister, chief minister of Manipur and chief secretary of Manipur on October 4 about the rollback.
He further urged officials to maintain Kakching’s identity and administrative structure during the upcoming tripartite talks on November 15 in Senapati, where district boundary issues will be addressed.
He stressed that Kakching is a multi-ethnic community living in harmony and called for the avoidance of disputes. He called for the prohibition of any signage indicating another district within Kakching’s revenue jurisdiction and urged that no other district names be incorporated during census operations.
Somarendra warned that revoking Kakching’s district status could provoke renewed tensions and cautioned for significant protests if such actions were pursued.
