By : Naorem Mohen
“Where is Leimram Waterfall?” a tourist asked me. I replied back without a moment of pause, “Bishnupur district”. It was not the right answer. Some says it’s in Senapati district, some says in SADAR Hills and some says in Imphal West too. Searching on Google will show different data and references. Should I blame on Google or State Government? Why so much confusion and why the government of Manipur silent?
Improper documentation and records will flare up tensions and even paved ways for communal riots. Recent incident in Thoubal districts where signboards with Chandel district being destroyed and even mob exhorts to violence by dismantling properties and harassing the innocent people must be taken seriously. This will not be the end, if swift actions are not taken up by the authorities. It is the fault of government and they should accept the fact for review and reprimand the culprits.
A man has the right to cast votes in Saikul Assembly Constituency in Senapati District; his MGNREGS job card is registered in Ukhrul district and when it comes to open a bank account, Pin Code of some Imphal East post office is used. It seems the election office has a separate register; the settlement office, post office, and even the Panchayat office in the state have their own separate registry books. Publishing a white paper is highly recommended from the government side at the earliest.
If a child is born somewhere in a Quarter around the Game village, will the birth certificate be registered with Imphal West or Senapati district? Why so much errors in the administration of the present government. Recently, several kuki villages came up around the Langol Game Village and Langol Housing Complexes. These villages have their own name and districts of their preferences, off the records of the government of Manipur. Definitely there will be a big misunderstanding among the adjoining villagers if the authorities remain a mute spectator.
Similarly, new villages in Keithelmanbi, Yaingangpokpi, Singda and Sangaiporou have come up in the last few decades. They should not be harassed and discriminate them due to the failure of our administration. State leaders must see that their rights – freedom to live, express and religions be secured for peaceful co-existence among the communities.
Tangkhul Villages like Hongman Tangkhul and Wunghon which are around 22 kilometers from Imphal Capital often treated as a village in the Imphal East district of Manipur, due to its proximity with other villages in the Imphal East district. However, administrative establishments and voting rights have different districts. Imagine the pain of people living there when the domicile or the residential certificates need to be produced for student’s admission and other official proof of identity. When will the present state government try to understand such problems and solve the issues seriously?
Another important issue which is to be taken up is the renaming of different villages in Manipur. We must be proud to revive our lost cultures, heritage and traditions to keep our rich civilization intact for the future generations. We have seen many agitations for renaming of the Ima keithel and other important places. If we are so concerned about our cultures, we must also show respect for other cultures and communities. Why should we interfere in the process of renaming other community’s villages and places in their own rights?
I did not find any name called “HONGMAN TANGKHUL” in Google search, but I find the same place if I typed in “KHONGBAL TANGKHUL”; I did not find “RAMVAI” or “OKNAOPOKPI” either. But these places are found out easily if I changed to “LAMBUI” and YAINGANGPOKPI”. This is gross discrimination of our society, forced Meiteinisation and failed government policies. We must allow other communities to survive and breathe the air we are enjoying.
The civil society organization working for the benefit of Valley based people must understand that sweet words will not satisfy or bring reformation in the region. We have to show by work and prove by action how much we want to bring peace and development in both hills and valley.
