Imphal, December 12: In connection with the ongoing impasse over the issue of converting Jiribam sub-division to a full fledged revenue district, a definite resolution may be adopted during a public meeting tomorrow.

Even though the demand to upgrade Jiribam to a revenue district was raised four years back, the agitation to this effect was intensified recently by the people of the sub-division under the Jiribam District Demand Committee after the State Cabinet failed to adopt a positive resolution despite the Delimitation Commission of India giving the go ahead signal for the upgradation.

With several student bodies joining the agitation, the Imphal-Jiribam road has been blocked, all election related activities have been banned in the sub-division, and all Government offices barring educational institutions and emergency sectors have been sealed, all in pursuit of upgrading Jiribam to a revenue district.

However, offices under Central Government were not included within the purview of the prohibition and religious services were also exempted from the Imphal-Jiribam road bandh.

On the other hand, people of Tamenglong district are being hit hard by the ongoing road blockade.

Leaders of Churches located between Jiribam and Barak and the Zeliangrong Youth Front, Nungba Zone have already appealed for relaxation of the road bandh in view of the Orange Festival and Christmas festival.

Taking note of the appeals from various quarters, the Jiribam District Demand Committee is expected to take a definite resolution tomorrow on the issue.

Convenor of the JDDC Romeo informed The Sangai Express that the ongoing road blockade does not cover religious services.

Even though no decision has been taken in response to the appeals for relaxation of the road blockade, the matter would be deliberated tomorrow during the public meeting, he disclosed.

The Demand Committee clarified that the demand to upgrade Jiribam to a revenue district does bear any relation with the condition laid down by a JAC of Tamenglong bodies to include certain forest areas of Tousem under Tamenglong Forest Division before Jiribam is granted revenue district status.

Saying that the demand for Jiribam people is to upgrade only the existing Jiribam sub-division to a revenue district, Romeo clarified that the Committee has no intention to enlarge Jiribam sub-division by annexing areas under Tamenglong or Churachandpur districts.

Compelled by the prolonged untold miseries and inconveniences suffered by the Jiribam people, the people are not willing to retract their campaign until their demand is fulfilled.

Over-burdened with the inevitability to go to Imphal for any official work or to Silchar to go to Imphal by flight when there is road blockade, upgradation of the sub-division to revenue district is the wish of all the Jiribam people.

The people there also flayed the State Govt for bringing in the issue of Sadar Hills just to negate the justified demand of Jiribam people.

They observed that it was quite absurd and illogical to juxtapose Jiribam and Sadar Hills together as the issue of Sadar Hills is being plagued by impasse on ethnic line while there is no such impasse or objection in the case of Jiribam.

Meanwhile, it is reported that the Jiribam Block Congress Committee had submitted a memorandum to the AICC President Sonia Gandhi concerning the demand to upgrade Jiribam to a revenue district.

On the other hand, a public rally was taken out at Tamenglong district Hqs under the aegis of the JAC For Protection of Tamenglong District urging to maintain status quo of Tamenglong district in case Jiribam sub-division is granted revenue district status.

Later a memorandum was also submitted to the Chief Minister though Tamenglong Deputy Commissioner.

The rally participated by about a thousand people set off from Tamenglong mini stadium and wound up at DC office.

Non-alteration in the position of Tamenglong district, publication of the report concerning approval by Delimitation Commission to upgrade Jiribam district to a revenue district and transfer of forest area of Tousem currently under Jiribam Forest Division to Tamenglong Forest Division were the basic points highlighted in the memorandum submitted to the Chief Minister.

Comment