Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, August 20 2010:
Since the Chingai-Quingai road has been sunk due to landslides at various points following heavy rainfall that occured twice during the past 20 days, nearly 5,000 villagers of five villages in the sub-division are facing the alarming possibility of starvation.
The road from Chingai to Quingai in Chingai sub-division of Ukhrul district connects Quingai, Chalou, New Tasom, Tasom CV and Tasom Khullen villages.
However, the road has been disconnected in various places due to heavy rainfall that occurred on the night between July 29 and 30 and again on the night of August 15 .
According to Secretary, Information and Publicity, Northern Raphei Students' Union (NRSU), HAS Thuingaleng, nearly 5,000 villagers of the said villages have been facing extreme hardship.
The wooden bridge over Rondei river had been washed away by the powerful current of the river disconnecting the road.
Moreover, landslides have occurred completely blocking the road at different places.
Following request of the NRSU to help the villagers, the DC Ukhrul district had sent one staff of Chingai SDO office, PA Roland to take stock of the condition of the road, and he had come and inspected the pathetic condition of the road.
It is learnt that he had submitted a report to the DC observing that nearly one crore rupees would be required to improve and restoring the road to its earlier condition.
The NRSU Publicity Secretary told this newspaper that the Chingai-Quingai road is the only one which connects the villages with the headquarter of Chingai sub-division.
Earlier, all types of vehicles including buses used to ply the road.
But as the condition of the road worsened day by day, only Shaktiman trucks and Jeeps could ply the road carrying the villagers.
However, due to the heavy rainfall that occurred twice in 20 days, now even Shaktiman trucks and Jeeps can not traverse the road.
Even going on foot is near impossible as the road has been completely cut off by the river without a bridge.
Moreover, villagers have to trudge 18 kms to fetch essential items like medicines and food grains, which are scarce in the villages.
The villagers and the NRSU urged the Government of Manipur to take steps immediately to make the essential commodities available to the suffering villagers.