Many groups have already opposed the plan to re-amalgamate Thanlon Sub-Division to Churachandpur District. Protest rallies were held at several places earlier this week against what many viewed as a “political move” of vested parties.
TFM Desk
As many as 22 villages under Thanlon Sub-Division of Pherzawl District said they strongly opposed any move to re-amalgamate their areas to Churachandpur District. They make up about 47 percent of the total villages under the sub-division.
Many groups have already opposed the plan to re-amalgamate Thanlon Sub-Division to Churachandpur District. Protest rallies were held at several places earlier this week against what many viewed as a “political move” of vested parties. The state government had given December 17, 2021, as the deadline for submission of any objections to the proposed plan. The Cabinet notification to the DCs of Pherzawl and Churachandpur districts said that the re-amalgamation could move ahead only if 75% of the villages agreed to the proposed plan.
In a representation submitted to chief minister N Biren Singh and the deputy commissioner of Pherzawl District, the villages under the aegis of the Pherzawl District Development Committee, cited both administrative convenience and cultural affinity as the reasons for their decision to remain in Pherzawl District.
“We, the affected villages of Thanlon Sub-Divison, Pherzawl District, once again reiterated that Pherzawl District belongs to a multi-ethnic population (tribes) of Gangte, Paite, Vaiphei, Zou, Kuki, Hmar, Simte, etc. Even before the creation of this district, all these ethnic groups co-exist in this region peacefully since time immemorial. Any person who called themselves sons of the soil would not and would never allow the district to be disintegrated on communal lines,” they said in their memorandum to the chief minister, a copy of which was also submitted to the Deputy Commissioner of Pherzawl District.
They said that the Thanlon Sub-Division had been home to minority communities such as Gangte, Simte, Hmar, Zou, Kuki, Vaiphei and Paite tribes, and they have been living peacefully for years.
“We are part and parcel of such multi-ethnic communities. It is automatically, unanimously, and logically concluded that we remain with (in) the Pherzawl District. This is the people’s will and at the same time for administrative conveniences,” they said.
They also said that “there are particular groups with vested interest to re-amalgamate Thanlon Sub-Division to Churachandpur District”.
“In more than one occasion, the affected chiefs were coerced into signing documents under duress which favour the region into re-amalgamation with Churachandpur District. We, the affected chiefs/villages, cannot be used as a scapegoat for this attempt,” they added, without naming the groups which they said forced them to sign forced consent forms.
Referring to the Sub-Divisional Officer, Thanlon, Notifications No.46/SDO/TLN/re-amalgamation: Dated 13/12/2021, the villages which want to remain in Pherzawl District, said: “We have submitted our dissent letters to the Deputy Commissioner, Pherzawl District and… enclosed (documents) as a genuine proof showing our solidarity against the disintegration of Pherzawl District.”