Hunphung sees ADC as development plank
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 05 2011:
The Hunphung (Hundung) village chief has expressed strong desire for holding Autonomous District Council (ADC) election for Shangshak District Council Constituency for egalitarian development and progress of the society.
Opining that reviving of the ADC would be a tremendous boost towards impartial implementation of welfare programmes in various villages under Shangshak ADC, the village chief namely AS Wungayung Peter informed out that till date no development work worth mentioning had been initiated for Hunphung.
It may be noted that due to threats and intimidation from some NGOs and armed group(s) against holding of ADC polls in Ukhrul district, Shangshak ADC was one of the ADCs of the district to be left out of the purview of the grassroots democratic exercise held last year.
Wungayung narrated that Hunphung is one of the many villages in the present day Ukhrul district that is witness to strong fraternal bond between the plain and the valley people.
Recollecting historical events, he stated that apart from tales of the forefathers citing fraternal relationship between the kings of Hunphung and Meitei rulers, the latter used to visit Hunphung on a regular basis which the Hunphung villagers cherish in the form of preserving foot-prints of various Meitei Maharajas in the village.
Stating that when Manipur was sovereign, Meitei Maharajas took great care for the welfare of Hunphung villagers to the extent that cattle were presented whenever they visited the village.
Among others Maharaj Churachand, Bodhchandra, Okendra and most recently titular King Leishemba Sanajaoba had visited Hunphung, he added.
Wungayung Peter, who is also the village head, however, expressed resentment that after Manipur merged with India and democratic form of governance took shape development initiatives had been lagging behind.
Apart from a meagre hare of benefit out of MOBC and MGNREGS programmes, no other welfare schemes have been ever implemented in the village, he contended while regretting that inspite of endorsing proposal for development of an inter-village road and construction of a community hall for which Rs 32 lakhs had been announced as amount sanctioned for the latter project, there is no sign of translating the assurances into action.
Aspiration of the villagers for a hygienic drinking water scheme, health care facility and basic infrastructure for education still remains a far fetched dream, he listed.
In the backdrop of such callous attitude of the Government and the fact that there is still no concrete development activities ever taken up in the village it is the belief of the entire villagers that opposition to holding of elections for Shangshak ADC came from various quarters, he opined.
Wungayung, nevertheless construed that revival of the ADC should have the support of all concerned as development fund could be streamlined and welfare schemes implemented in a transparent manner.
Expressing that after reviving the ADC various problems of the locals could be highlighted directly to the Govt, the village chief further maintained that inspite of hindrances other ADCs within Ukhrul district have managed to constitute District Councils.
As Shangshak ADC constitution left out of the grassroots democratic process would mean loss to the ADC in general and Hunphung in particular there is need for concerted effort for revival of the Autonomous District Council, he mooted.
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