‘Don't include Rongmei villages in RF’

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Oct 30 : The Zeliangrong United Committee Manipur Valley (ZUCMV) has said that the Cabinet decision to declare Heibok  Ching as a Reserved Forest should not cover Langthabal Chingthak, Lang-thabal Chingkha and Lang- thabal Khoupum Villages.
Speaking to the media at Dewlahland today, president of ZUCMV Maibon Phaomei said that Rongmei Kabui people have been settled at Langthabal Ching- thak, Langthabal Chingkha and Langthabal Khoupum Villages since the time of  Maharaj Pamheiba (1709-1748 AD).
Saying that covering the old Rongmei Kabui villages while declaring Heibok Ching as a Reserved Forest is disheartening to  them, he said that Rongmei Kabui is one of the indigenous tribes of Manipur whose history can be traced back to 33 AD.
Further stating that Rongmei Kabui people have also been at the forefront to protect the unity and integrity of Manipur, he said that Rongmei Kabui people started settling at Langthabal Chingthak, Langthabal Chingkha and Langthabal Khoupum on the invitation of King Pamheiba.
Saying that including the three Rongmei Kabui settlements in the newly declared Reserved Forest has made the residents restless, he asked whether the Cabinet took the decision to drive out the Rongmei Kabui people from their village.
He urged the Government to withdraw the decision.
Asking whether the people and civil society organisations endorse the Cabinet decision, Maibon said that ZUCMV also welcomes the classification of Heibok Ching as a Reserved Forest but added that Langthabal Chingthak, Langthabal Chingkha and Langthabal Khoupum Villages have no connection at all with Heibok Ching.
Saying that the Rongmei Kabui villages should not be made a part of the Reserved Forest under any circumstances, he said that the State Government  should respect the decision of King Pamheiba which allowed them to settle at the three villages. The Government ought to know that Manipur was once a sovereign kingdom, he said. The Rongmei Kabui people will vacate the villages and make a decision of their own if the Government is desperate to drive them  out, he said.