Chingai has bagful of woeful tales to tell
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Pamreiso Shimray
Ukhrul, October 26 2011:
For the people living at Chingai sub-divisional headquarters, life is a bagful of woeful tales to tell.
The so-called town-that can hardly be named as one, is but a sleepy hamlet.
Chingai, one of the oldest sub-divisional headquarters in Ukhrul district, is reeling under lots of difficulties.
The so-called town has no power supply, poor road connectivity and telephonic communication.
"These are the major problems presently facing the public," said VV Ngam, the area youth activist.
"Chingai is lagging far behind compared to Kamjong, Phungyar and Kasom Khullen.
For that matter, Jessami is much better off," he added.
The denizens in Chingai also rued the absence of electricity and poor communications in the area.
"Literally, we survive by kerosene wig-lamp at night.
Besides, there is no proper telephonic connectivity and the approach road is too narrow and in a pathetic condition.
This has made life really difficult," said a local student, Ashang.
The hardship does not end there with the Chingai denizens.
For the government employees posted at Chingai sub-divisional headquarters, there is hardly a roof left for shelter.
In the aftermath of Moa incident in which two students were killed in police firing last year, the 30 residential staff quarters at Chingai along with SDO office were set on fire by protesters.
"The government employees posted at Chingai are facing lots of hardship.
This has literally made the government offices non-functional," rued the village headman Kaphungkan Kashung.
He added the village authorities have for long been pressing the State government to rebuild the residential quarters but without any progress.
In all there are 40 official staff posted at Chingai sub-division which includes 26 in revenue and 14 in development section.
"How could we ask them (staff) to station regularly at Chingai? We are not in a position to do that when there is no place for them to stay," said Kaphungkan.
Predictably, Chingai has no hotel for one to buy a meal and no lodge for one to take a night's rest.
The only solace for visitors, however, is the hospitality of the natives.
SDO L.Darsinso Aimol, who is recently posted at Chingai, admitted the hardship being faced by the government staff.
"The employees are being temporarily adjusted in TD quarters.
As for rebuilding the new SDO office and staff quarters, I don't have any proper knowledge," he stated.
He, however, assured of initiating development in Chingai sub-division and seek public cooperation for the same.
In fact, the village authorities have already allotted a site for construction of the new SDO office.
"The building materials have also been prepared since early this year.
However, the work is yet to start even today.
What is wrong with it? We really don't know anything," said Chingai headman.