Choro vil

 Zingshophai Choro vil SOS

(Traditional boundary pillar 5,6 &7 with Myanmar under grave treaths) 

UKHRUL, Sep'18, 2020::THE Eastern most frontier of Manipur Zingshophai or Choro village under Kamjong district is in serious treaths by Myamar annaxing around 3.7 kms recently shaking the international border boundaries. 

Zingshophai/Choro village is located between border pillar numbers 5, 6 and 7 and is 49 kms away from district headquarters Kamjong. 

In an exclusive interview with Qr. Kaphungyui who is the Headman of Zingshophai Choro village said that a memorandum was submitted to former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, former CM Ibobi Singh after learning that the State Government was dealing with Myanmar for exchange of land.

The memorandum clearly highlighted the stand of the villagers and their stand against the proposed inclusion of Zingshophai Choro village to Myanmar while relocating boundary pillars.

The villagers had even personally highlighted the matter to Chief  Minister N Biren Singh in 2018 for resurvey and correction of erected international border pillars. 

Despite CM N Biren Singh's assurance, nothing has been initiated from the side of the State Government to resolve the issue, said the village Headman.

The villagers urged the State Government to act swiftly in order to save and protect Zingshophai Choro village.

He further mentioned that in 2004, the State Cabinet decided to relocate 3.7 sq. kms of the village to Myanmar for exchange of land without consulting the village. The villagers strongly opposed the move and had raised their voice to withdraw State Cabinet decision, said the Headman.

“We will continue to defend our land from any intrusion,” Kaphungyui said and added that Zingshophai Choro village is a hill house taxpaying village being inhabited by the Tangkhul community under Kamjong  district since time immemorial.

Zingshophai Choro village has a total population of 235 people and there are about 53 houses in the village.

All developmental activities such PMGSY, MGNREGS , IWMP etc are implemented by the State Government.

Considering all the historical facts and for peaceful co-existence, the State Government should act immediately, added the Headman.

The Headman also asserted the rights of tribals as enshrined in the Constitution of India and referred to Article 371(C) which has special provisions given to the Hill Areas Committee (HAC).Urging the tribal legislators, who are all members of HAC, the Headman said that they are empowered by the Constitution to protect the rights of tribals. 

The Tangkhul Naga Long (TNL) apex civil organization of Tanglhul) has also strongly opposed the moved to hand over the said land to Myanmar by annexing and graping  the land  through State Government's knowledge to move  and gift away Zingshophai/Choro village to Myanmar in return for land at some other place  said the Headman.

“We will continue to defend our land from any intrusion,” Kaphungyui said and added that Zingshophai Choro village is a hill house taxpaying village being inhabited by the Tangkhul community under Kamjong  district since time immemorial.

Zingshophai Choro village has a total population of 235 people and there are about 53 houses in the village.

All developmental activities such PMGSY, MGNREGS , IWMP etc are implemented by the State Government.

Considering all the historical facts and for peaceful co-existence, the State Government should act immediately, added the Headman.

Urging the tribal legislators, who are all members of HAC, the Headman said that they are empowered by the Constitution to protect the rights of tribals.