Photo Courtesy: nenow
Imphal: Remote Naga villages in Manipur remain isolated from basic services. A joint team from the Peoples United Youth Front and the Foothills Naga Coordinating Committee found that government welfare schemes have failed these communities. Road connectivity, electricity, and health services are non-existent in several areas across Kamjong district.
Sahamphung village has no electricity. Sahamphung and Zinsui lack functional healthcare facilities entirely. Mapum Khul sits 45 km from the district headquarters but remains neglected since the district formed in 2016. The village built a Primary Health Centre a year ago. It sits empty. Village headman Yureingam stated, "The Primary Health Centre (PHC) building, completed about a year ago, has remained locked and has not been made operational."
Residents face brutal commutes to get medical help. Sick villagers travel 40 km to Ukhrul District Hospital. This trip costs 200 rupees and takes three hours. Monsoon rains turn the road into a trap. Education is also failing. The local high school has no teachers. Many families now send children to Ukhrul for schooling. Mobile reception is spotty at best.
Longjam Abothe of the Peoples United Youth Front and Akhui from the Foothills Naga Coordinating Committee demanded immediate action. They want the Electricity Department to connect Sahamphung to the grid. They pressed the Health Department to staff the clinic in Mapum Khul. Finally, they urged the Education Department to hire teachers for the high school to stop the cycle of neglect.
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