Government schemes transform Sajik Tampak village in Manipur

Imphal, Mar 2 (ANI): Militancy had once adversely affected Sajak Tampak village in Manipur's Chandel District, but the situation has changed after the Centre and State sponsored schemes were introduced in the village.

For many years, insurgent outfits - Manipur People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak, People's Liberation Army, United National Liberation Front and Kangleipak Communist Party - operated from this village.

They allowed no development to take place and completely isolated it from the other parts of Manipur. People led a miserable life. The security forces have now flushed out militant groups from the village.

"Insurgents forcibly stayed in this village for more than 10 years. We requested them to move to a separate camp but they refused to do so and stayed in our houses. They were around 200 of them and we lived in constant fear," said Haokip, a villager.

"These villagers can never forget the fear in them when these insurgents came and stayed with them. They always felt insecure and scared," said Michele, General Secretary, Kuki Research Forum.

After the militants move away from the village the process of change began and development started taking place.

A full-fledged administration was set up. More than 600 students attend the village school daily. Earlier they did not attend school as they were afraid of being attacked by militants.

"Now things are changing very fast. We are in a peaceful situation. We are no more threatened from the militants and are quite happy that the situation is improving," said Jayson, Principal of village school.

The main occupation of people in the village is making wood charcoal. But with a number of government schemes being implemented, people have shifted to handloom and handicrafts thereby improving their standard of living.

Both the State and the Central government are concerned about improving connectivity in the region. They have launched several schemes like Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act and Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna which has improved infrastructure and many have got jobs.

The government frequently organizes camps at the village for the benefit of the people.

Recently a health camp was organized where free health checkups, medicines and vaccinations were provided to the villagers who turned up in large numbers.

"It is like a dream come true. Here we do not have a doctor for our treatment. Also there is no pharmacy so when this camp was organized we felt very happy to get free treatment as well as medicine," Lewis, a villager.

Sajik Tampak village has nearly 132 households with 789 people. Once a safe haven for insurgents, it is now a model for peace and harmony in the region. (ANI)