IMPHAL, April 10 � The issue of creation of a new district after segregating Phungyar from Manipur�s Ukhrul district has re-appeared in headlines in the State dailies.
This time, the Phungyar District Demand Committee (PDDC) in its meeting held on April 5 set April 15 as the deadline for meeting the demand to upgrade Phungyar Assembly constituency as the 10th full-fledged separate district in the State or face various intense agitations.
Presently, Manipur has nine districts � Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Chandel, Churachandpur, Senapati, Tamenglong and Ukhrul.
Meanwhile, United Naga Council (UNC) has reportedly asked �the so-called Demand Committee(s)� to withdraw their representation submitted to the government(s) immediately. Reports available here said that the UNC, without naming any particular committee, has said that it is implicit that the demand for new district(s) at this point of time in Naga/hill areas of Manipur is the handiwork of the adversaries to vitiate and derail the alternative arrangement process, which is in progress peacefully and democratically.
However, Phungyar legislator and PDDC convenor Wungnaoshang Keishing informed the media that the demand for bifurcating Phungyar comprising of four subdivisions � Phungyar, Kamjong, Kasom Khullen and Sahamphung � from Ukhrul for a separate district has been placed before the government to bring about development in the remote area.
Earlier, a PDDC in its meeting at the Babupara official residence of Phungyar legislator and its convenor Wungnaoshang Keishing had also decided that various intense agitations, including picketing of government officials and imposition of Statewide bandh would be launched for the democratic rights of the people in Phungyar comprising Phungyar, Kamjong, Kasom Khullen and Sahamphung sub-divisions of Ukhrul district since its formation 52 years ago.
Even though Phungyar, having an area of 27,000 sq km, is inhabited by 60,000 people, its remote location from Ukhrul townships, it has remained backward socially, economically, financially and educationally.
