Rural Manipur
A reporter of this daily finds how pathetic the condition of villagers in the State when he visited Kamu-Thiamdawi to cover a free medical camp. The hamlet, just behind the Ngarian Hills is hardly 30 kms from the State capital, but there is no sign of governance. The villagers have not been benefited by welfare programs taken up by the Government. That basic health care facilities are woefully lacking at this comer of the State is demonstrated by the massive response to the free health camp.
Most of the patients who turn up at the camp are suffering from water borne diseases. The villagers informed that they depend on the water of Thoubal River. One can imagine how polluted the water of our rivers are. Reaching to the village itself is a very difficult job. There is no electricity in the area. The Government junior high school presents a very pathetic story. Not surprisingly the villagers hailed the organizers of the medical camp. This is not an isolated case.
Go to a village either in the hills or in the valley and they will narrate the same sad tale of neglect and apathy by the Government and their elected leaders. Roads are in poor conditions in most parts of rural Manipur. The Chief Minister and his colleagues found how deplorable the road condition is in far off places during their tour to Sugnu constituency. Primary health centers do not function. As a result patients whose lives can be saved by timely administration of cheap drugs are dying due to non-availability of drugs.
State run schools do not teach the students as most of the teachers are reluctant to attend classes. It is common knowledge that officials posted in the hills and remote areas spend more time in running after powerful men in Government to get them transferred to Imphal than attending to their duties. Health centers are deserted. Government offices have become cowsheds as staff members shun their offices.
This scourge has even affected the armed forces. The protest against shifting of a Manipur Rifles battalion to Senapati is outrageous. And the Government cannot even lift its finger against those refusing to go to their place of postings. There are thousands of educated people, who are ready to serve the State and dedicate to their duties. It is useless to keep the recalcitrant Government officials at the expense of the poor tax payers.
It should be pointed out to all that the growing discontentment among the people in remote places and backward districts is caused by official apathy. The respective MLAs are also one of the main culprits. Before elections these so called leaders will promise the moon to the voters, who will be made to stand hours before his official quarters after the election or becoming the all powerful Minister. It is time the hapless people, who are living in pitiable conditions in the far off and backward areas asked their representatives why their district, subdivision and constituency is still living in sub-human conditions even after more than 50 years of independence.
(Courtesy: The Sangai Express) |
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