Border village authorities in Manipur on Thursday highlighted the inconveniences they have been facing for years during an interaction with Chief Minister N Biren Singh at the latter’s office secretariat in Imphal.
Villagers from 21 different villages under Khengjoi subdivision in Chandel district bordering Myanmar participated in the day’s interaction at chief minister’s secretariat on Thursday.
The interaction session was organised under the initiative of Col AS Bajpai, Commandant of 19 Assam Rifles deployed at the interior areas of the state.
Earlier the Assam Rifles officers briefed the Chief Minister about the possible benefits which can be reaped from the introduction of widespread avocado plantation at the area. They also apprised him about the problems faced by villagers due to poor connectivity, absence of water supply, electricity and other basic amenities.
After listening to them, Chief Minister N Biren Singh directed the higher-ups of Manipur State Power Distribution Company Ltd to take up necessary steps for providing power supply to Tuitong and adjoining areas at the earliest.
He also directed DC Chandel district Krishna Kumar to prepare a project report for the construction of a road with proper drains from Sehlon to New Samtal. The chief minister said the centre has agreed to provide more funds to the state under Border Area Development Programme (BADP) and he will forward the said project to the Union Home Ministry for inclusion into BADP.
N Biren Singh also asked the Assam Rifles officers to encourage villagers to plant lemongrass, avocado and banana instead of poppy cultivation. He also said the government is ready to install banana fibre extracting machines if widespread banana plantation is possible at the area.
A very young differently-abled girl from Tuitong village, who is expert in making decorative flowers and cane and bamboo stools, was also introduced to the chief minister in the day’s gathering.