Imphal, Aug 14: Sixty years down the line of attainment of Independence of India, people living in Chingai Sub-Division and its surrounding area of Ukhrul district are yet to enjoy even the basic amenities of life, thanks to the apathetic attitude of the Government and an equally insensitive local representatives who are out to fleece the innocent public at any given opportunity.

How significant is the Independence Day celebration for these people living in this remote area ? 'The SDO would leave after unfolding the tri-colour and organise a function to celebrate the Independence Day only to come back on January 26 for the Republic Day function.

Apart from these two important Dates, the officer and his staff would be hard to find at their offices', the villagers said.

No wonder, the hardship being faced by the people living in the sub-divisions and its surrounding area are numerous.

The 14 km long Inter-village road which connects with Ukhrul Jessami Road (NH-150) has been the main lifeline of the people of the area.

After years of neglect by the Government, one local was assigned with the task of road expansion and drainage construction.

But the manner of implementing the work has worsened the condition of the road so much so that now it is dangerous even for the commuters to take this road not to mention of vehicular movement.

According to the villagers, out of a sum of Rs 80.49 lakhs had been sanctioned under Additional Central Assistant for the purpose, the contractor had withdrawn Rs 72.99 lakhs, but there has been no improvement in the condition of the road.

Apart from frequent occurrence of landslides, the road is now filled with potholes and mud as the constructor did not implemented the work properly, they said, asserting that as the drain was not constructed properly and the rocky portion left unlevelled, rain water overflow on the road eroding the concretes which were there earlier, the villagers rued.

The aggrieved people of the area even took out a protest march on August 12 as the authorities concerned failed to take note of the matter despite having submitted numerous representations highlighting the condition of the road to the DC Ukhrul, Local MLA, Chief Secretary and even the Chief Minister.

SDO Chingai Peter Ningsen, however, maintained that a report has been submitted to the higher authority in connection with the present condition of the road.

Talking to a team of mediapersons who have gone to the area, convenor of Progressive Forum, Chingai S Wilson said people have expressed their resentment over the execution of work by contractor S Thanmi not only for the road in questioned but also for the execution of the Chingai-Tusom Road via Chingai under PMGSY at an estimated cost of Rs 1.22 crores, Tangkhul Hundung-Honbai Road at an estimated cost of Rs 2.96 crores and Hingjol-Tangkhul Hungdung Road at an estimated cost of Rs 2.62 crores.

Wilson further warned that intense agitation would be launched if the road stretching from Awang Kasom to Chingai is not developed at the earliest possible and the Government and the contractor Thanmi should be held responsible for any untoward incident that might happen along the said road.

Over and above the deplorable condition of the road communication system in the area, shifting of the Community Information Centre (CIC) to Nungba as there is no telephone connectivity in the area has compounded to the difficulties of the people.

The only existing Primary Health Centre at Chingai was inaugurated by Chief Minister O Ibobi in 2003.But there is no doctor at the health centre.

Only a lone lady ANM looking after the medical need of the people living in the area infested with scores of diseases like Malaria, Typhoid, Diarrhoea, etc.

The Local Police Station is being manned by only 2/3 constables, there is one Chowkidar and one AF at the Veterinary Centre, one lineman at the PWD office and the people have not been getting any items under PDS.

It has also been fo the last 10 years that the people have not received electricity.

The only consolation might be that the Chingai Government High School is still functioning, though the school building is in dilapidated condition.

On an optimistic note, the SDO informed the mediapersons that grievances of the people would be look into.

While admitting that deplorable condition of the road also hamper the movement of departmental staff, the officer assured that electticity would be connected within a month's time and scheme would be taken up to providing potable drinking water to the people along with taking care of other needs of the people.

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