Source: Azonnah Zaspar / The Sangai Express
Tamenglong, July 29 2009:
In the face of rodent and pests rampantly attacking the standing crops in Magulong area of Tousem sub-division of Tamenglong district, shortage of food grains and downfall of the economy of the poor villagers there is imminent.
The Magulong Area Vil lage Authority Chairmen's Association in a statement, signed by its Chairman TR Rrngthengni, said that more than ten villages have been severely affected by the at tack of rodent and pests in the fields.
Of the affected villages, the worse hit villages are Phellong, Namtiram and Taningjam village.
According to the release, Phellong village has 104 households, Namtiram-106 while Taningjam village has 130 households of which most of them are families liv ing under Below Poverty Line, BPL.
If immediate attention is not given, these villages will face acute shortage of food grains and even deaths due to hunger in the coming year, added the release.
The concern for impending calamity is compounded by the crisis of refugees from the neighboring Assam's NC Hills swarming the area in the aftermath of communal clash between Dimasas and the Zeme Nagas.
Presently, more than 680 refugees are taking shelter in different villages of Tousem Sub- division of Tamenglong district, said ID Arangbou, Chairman of Relief Committee formed in Namtiram village, where a relief camp was newly set up.
Tousem Sub- divisional officer Dinganglung Gangmei while confirming the menace of pests in the sub- division asserted that he has submitted a report in this regards to the district head with photographs and response from the district administration is awaited.
Meanwhile, the plan of issuing job cards to the refugees from Assam taking shelter in the district for giving wage-work under NREGA is under process, added Dinganglung.