Jiribam, August 24 2009: The coming Christmas will not be the same for the villagers of Aben Longchai and Mandeu villages of Tousem sub-division of Tamenglong district who will go hungry during festive day due to the rodent menace which has completely shattered their standing crops.

Many people of the said villages have started pouring into Jiribam sub-division looking for survival as the civil administration has failed in extending helping hand in the hour of their distress.

It is said that the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) of Tousem is not confining himself in his assigned place but running his office from Tamenglong headquarters.

A villager of Aben village, Haideu Daime rued that every year he used to reap atleast 600 tins of foodgrain from his paddy field but this year he could not gather even 100 tins due to rodent menace.

He also fumed that rodents did not spare even chilly and maize plantations.

He further complained that neither relief nor assistance has been received from Government in this regard till date.

Another villager, Ileibung of the same village said that local MLA Awangbou Newmai has not visited the villages of Tousem sub-division.

He added that their representative has completely forsaken his people after being elected.

"I am not asking for anything but I just want to see my MLA who has been elected with my precious vote", added the villager.

Coming down heavily on State Government, Ileibung stated that enough ill treatment has been given by the Government to the people of Tousem sub-division which is the most backward sub-division of the State.

"Why the Government is still sleeping when hundreds of Tousem people are on the verge of starvation", he asked.

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