CM opens Khengjoy SDO/BDO office
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 13 2011: Chief Minister Okram Ibobi has inaugurated a new office building of SDO/BDO at Khengjoy close to the Indo-Myanmar border, once totally controlled by militants.

By inaugurating the SDO office building, Ibobi has earned the distinction of being the first Chief Minister of Manipur to visit Khengjoy block.

Along with the Khengjoy SDO/BDO office building, the Chief Minister also inaugurated Khangbarol BDO office building yesterday.

O Ibobi landed at Khengjoy helipad in a private chopper at about 10.50 am yesterday.

Ibobi's cavalcade which reached Khengjoy ahead of him on land route took Ibobi and other VIPs to the spot where the inaugural function was being organised.

Addressing the gathering after inaugurating the two office buildings, Ibobi stated that the Government could sense the feeling of neglect and marginalisation running among the people of Khengjoy and other people of the remote areas of Chandel district.

He stated that his visit to Khengjoy yesterday materialised after plans to visit the place were aborted or postponed due to busy schedule or unavoidable sources or inclement weather.

Chief Minister O Ibobi opening the Khengjoy office

The inaugural function was attended by village chiefs, district level officers and the general public.

Earlier Khengjoy block was administered by an SDC under SDO Kangpokpi.

The Government of Manipur, after considering the inconveniences of administrating Khengjoy from Chakpikarong took a firm resolution to bring Khengjoy under SDO office of its own, Ibobi stated.

Saying that initiating development programmes in remote areas of hill districts has been the foremost priority of the SPF Government, Ibobi asserted that all Government schemes and programmes should cover both hills and valley in equitable though the same programmes could not be implemented at the same time.

After perusing a representation submitted by the villagers of Khengjoy, Ibobi assured that Khengjoy PHSC would be upgraded to the level of a PHC and the Primary School to the level of a High School.

He informed the gathering that these two proposals would be put up in the next Cabinet meeting so that the proposals can be translated into action without fail.

Noting the plurality of Manipur in terms of ethnic communities, religions and languages, Ibobi dubbed Manipur as a mini-India.

He also questioned how could peace and development can be brought in Manipur when people could not co-exist and forgive one another.

The inaugural function was also attended by MOBC Minister Md Allaudin Khan, Outer Manipur MP Thangso Baite and MLA Thangkholun Haokip.

Thangkholun Haokip recalled that Khengjoy area was controlled by militants.

There was no road that could take any vehicle till Khengjoy but today, on account of the SPF Government's special attention to hill and remote areas, Khengjoy area has undergone a remarkable change, he added.