IMPHAL, November 4: Reiterating its long standing demand for the creation and declaration of the ‘Tongjeimarin District’ in the middle south west of the State, the Tongjei Marin District Demand Committee (TDDC) has asserted that the proposed district to be named after the famous old Cachar Road and first life line known as ‘Tongjeimarin’ has attracted support from all in view of the genuine objective to strengthen the State’s integrity and development.
A statement of TDCC reminded that the demand was mooted since decades ago and public view had been invited through media in 1990s during the regime of the then Chief Minister RK Ranbir Singh and after long struggle and public mobilization, the first ever memorandum for the grant of Tongjeimarin District was submitted to W Nipamacha Singh on July 11, 1998 with a sketch map of the proposed district of 951 sq km and 75, 000 population (150 villages).
It demanded that the Tongjeimarin District be bounded by Lower Lukhambi (NH-37) in Tamenglong district in the north, Tuangtu and Taiphai (Thalon) Nungsai Khullen, Chothe Munpi of Henglep and Bijang of Churachandpur district in the south, Keithelmanbi and Chinikon, Saitu A/C of Sadar Hills, Senapati district in the east and Gularthol Police Station and Kaiphundai, Taosem Sub-Division, Tamenglong district in the west.
Stating that the committee has met different leaders and voluntary organizations recently to mobilize together for the movement on the demand, the TDDC in the statement said during the consultative meeting held on October 21 last at Langol Laimanai, leaders of the committee decided to convene a public meeting at Khoupum Valley and Noney areas to revamp the future course of action programme including the expansion of the committee.
The TDDC appealed to all to extend co-operation and support to the demand for the sake of speedy growth and integrity in this falling State from communal ambiguity and trust deficit.