Manipur Rifles unit takes lead in green earth campaign

Imphal, October 5 : Notwithstanding their heavy schedule in the maintenance of law and order in the State, comparatively peaceful atmosphere prevalent in Tamenglong district is being showcased by the number of cherry trees nurtured along the curvy highway stretch that leads to the district headquarters.

Thanks of relative peace in the district security forces, particularly personnel of the 5th Manipur rifles battalion had been able to contribute their mite in the protection of the environment through tree plantation activities.

Under the aegis of the battalion's Commanding Officer KC Lokho the mR personnel had embarked on the noble mission to protect the environment and begun cherry tree plantation activities since 1995 and the result is being reaped today as weary travellers on this accident-prone road could atleast stop to not only get engrossed in the beauty of the surrounding but also realise that gun-totting security personnel also have a humane heart and cares for the nature.

Cherry trees planted, groomed and protected by the 5th MR personnel adding serenity to the Tamenglong-Khongsang road

Beginning from Khongsang village the entire roadside upto Tamenglong district headquarters is being dotted with cherry trees.

Even though the serene atmosphere in Tamenglong district sometimes get shattered when gun-fights break out, mostly inter-factional showdowns, the district is today among the most peaceful zone in Manipur even since the Central Government signed ceasefire with the Naga rebel group the NSCN (IM).

It is informed that the cherry tree plantation programme began with over 1000 saplings brought from Mao sub-division of Senapati district.

Initially, the vision of the MR unit's CO to beautify parts of Tamenglong district as supplementary contribution to the global initiative of retaining the earth's green cover seems headed for disaster as there was hardly any assistance from the locals.

Apart from villagers that reside along the route uprooting newly planted saplings to plant them at their own places, stray cattles used to trample them thereby leading to premature withering of the cherry trees.

Undeterred by such setbacks, the MR personnel stubbornly persisted with their non-combat task and went on replenishing the damaged section and ultimately succeeded in their mission that today villagers prefer to rest under the cherry trees and appreciate its beauty.

Cherry flowers are said to blossom in November and the rows of plantation along Tamenglong-Khongjarol are on the verge to blossom.

Preferring to stay aloof from the media limelight inspite of his personal contribution to the cherry tree plantation endeavour the 5th MR CO cut short a recent attempt by this reporter to extract comment from KC Lokho who only muttered that the plantation activities began about 15 years back.

Despite the CO's reluctance to be drawn into the chat, some battalion personnel conveyed that on a regular basis teams of MR personnel are despatched for nurturing and protection of the cherry trees by plucking weeds and clearing overgrowths thereby also able to present a clean look of the surroundings.

When the assigned task is not so arduous or little tending is required the personnel's service are utilised in mending potholes along the highway stretch, they informed.

Expressing that there had been appreciative remarks from travellers upon witnessing beauty of the area, the MR personnel humbly commented that they could atleast extend some contribution in not only retaining the district's green foliage but could also chip in controlling soil erosion.

While most of the battalion campus had been covered with fully grown cherry trees, it is said that the CO has plans to spread the cherry tree plantation programme on an even wider scale in the district.

11 killed as bus overturns in Manipur

Tamenglong(Manipur), May 7 : Eleven persons, including seven women, were killed and 48 others injured when a bus carrying them overturned at a village near the district headquarters town this morning.

The accident occurred when the bus driver was negotiating a hilly curve at Sangrungpang village, about 20 km from the district headquarters, police said, adding the bus was coming from Tamenglong district headquarters to state capital Imphal.

While eleven persons, including seven women, and a one-year-old child died on the spot, 48 others sustained injuries, the sources said. Twenty of total injured persons were referred to Regional Institute of Medical Science and Hospital here where their condition was stated to be serious, sources said.

Police and other forces rushed to the spot to rescue other passengers in the bus. There were a total of 70 passengers in the bus.

HAC vice chairman inspects development works at Tml

TAMENGLONG, Feb 6 : During a two-day visit to his home town Khangthuanang Panmei, vice chairman of the Hill Areas Committee, HAC, inspected various development works being taken up under his constituency in Tamenglong today.

While inspecting the water reservoir at water composite scheme under Non Lapsable Pool Resources near power house he was surprised to see cows were killed and the waste were thrown inside the fencing. Water outlets and drains were also filled up with soil and mud which was causing the water to dirty. He was further sad to see many temporary toilets near the water reservoir complex. Panmei ordered the public health engineering department, PHED to avail of the total sanitation scheme.

The water has to be pumped up at district headquarter and treated for domestic use and this water should be kept clean, said Khangthuanang while adding that taking bath and washing clothes and vehicles should be banned.

Khangthuanang Panmei also asked RH Gonmei, deputy commissioner of Tamenglong to issue a prohibitory order inside the water composite complex to stop dirtying of the water. He also requested the Zeliangrong Students` Union, Tamenglong district to organize a social work at the composite complex while also ordering the PHED to fit the water pump and start the work as early as possible.

During his stay at Tamenglong, Khangthuanang Panmei also inspected the district hospital where he found no water at the water reservoir. He directed the PHED to give a special water pipeline for the district hospital in the interest of the people.

He also visited the new OT building constructed by DRDA under RSVY which is yet to be inaugurated. He found that domestic wires were fitted for heavy machines and no control panel for new generator was also constructed while the generator was installed longtime back. He called upon the concerned contractor to do the needful and hand over to the health department.

The health department highlighted the shortage of doctors at the district hospital and the absence of a casualty room there. The vice chairman gave an assurance to the people in this regard.

In the meantime, Joseph Daimei, vice coordinator of the Zeliangrong Students` Union, Tamenglong district expressed his gratitude to Khangthuanang Panmei and three departments of PWD, PHED and electricity for their selfless and untiring concern for the people of Tamenglong. While speaking to the IFP, Joseph Daimei also hoped that the follow up action would bear fruits and more development would be coming up at Tamenglong district.

In the meantime, the inspection was accompanied by RH Gonmei, deputy commissioner, Joseph Pauline, SDO Tamenglong, frontal Zeliangrong organizations and workers of Khangthuanang Panmei.

Flying squirel being sold in the Tamenglong Market, Manipur

Is there anybody to protect the wild life. A flying squirel being sold in the Tamenglong Market
Courtesy:Ph. Santosh