Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 08, 2009:
As Chandel DC office has been put under lock, allegedly by the Chandel Naga People's Organisation (CNPO) and Anal Naga Tribal Association (ANTA), thereby preventing DC Deleep from joining his office, several civil organisations of Chandel district have suggested attaching an office of Chandel DC at Imphal.
Speaking to media persons at Molnoi village in Chandel district this afternoon, president of the Kuki Chiefs' Association, Chandel district, Nehthang Haokip, chairman of the Kuki Welfare Association, Chandel, Changthong Zou, president of Kuki People's Forum, Chandel, Jampao Haokip, president of the Kuki Women Human Rights, Chandel, Kimboi Haokip, president of the Kuki Sporting Association, Chandel, Kampu Haokip and president of the Thadou Students' Association, Chandel, Helen Haokip have appealed to the State Government to open an office of Chandel DC at Imphal so that development works can be initiated in the district at the earliest.
Saying that Chandel district is inhabited by 20 different recognised tribes, the civil leaders noted that the district, though large in area, is quite backward in terms of transport infrastructure.
Besides having an international boundary, the district is also home to an international trade centre.
The district has also been witnessing several controversies and differences, they said.
Since the time Chandel was declared a district, only a few tribes have been enjoying the benefits of funds sanctioned for development of the district.
To ensure equitable distribution of fund and development works to all tribes and at the same time to prevent a few tribes from influencing the district administration in their favour, the civil leaders proposed shifting of Chandel district headquarters at the junction of Lamkang Centre and Kotlenphai in Molnoi area from the present location at Japhou.
The CNPO and the ANTA, which have been raising an uproar against transfer of the former DC and forbidding the new DC from joining office represent only one/two tribe(s), they alleged.
The tribe leaders questioned the failure of the Govt to control the agitation launched by such organisations representing only one/two tribe(s).
At the time when Devesh Deval was posted in Chandel district, the CNPO and the ANTA protested by locking the DC's office and now they were agitation against his transfer.
A joint meeting of the Kuki and Naga communities was held at Chakpikarong where it was agreed to demand transfer Devesh Deval for his slackness in implementing development projects.
It was also resolved to boycott the Independence Day if Devesh Deval was not transferred.
While Kuki contingents stayed away from the Independence Day celebrations in conformity to the resolution, the Nagas took part in the celebration, they alleged.
They also questioned if there was a any secret nexus between the CNPO, the ANTA and DC Devesh Deval.
"Was the new DC H Deleep coming to Chandel districts headquarters in 'their' interest or in the interest of all the tribes of the district?, the civil organisation leaders asked.