Joupi (Manipur): Security forces deployed in the region are not just ensuring the safety of people, but are doing their bit to rehabilitate victims of violence.
Located in Chandel district of the insurgency affected state, Joupi village, once a stronghold of banned Kuki National Army and United National Liberation Front, is one such region.
The village was isolated from rest of the state before security forces flushed out the insurgents during 2006-07 and helped in their rehabilitation and government schemes such as Mahatama Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) were implemented for development of the people.
There are better houses with tin sheets and solar electric panels that provide regular electricity.
Elucidating the measures undertaken by the government, the village chief said, “Government introduced the MGNREGA, under which we were employed. Lower Primary schools were established and they would soon be upgraded to junior schools. We look forward to better communication and transportation facilities. A primary health center would also be set up.”
Villagers in past had migrated out of fear, but now they look forward to a progressive life in the village itself.
Many villagers have started piggery and poultry that have made them financially independent.
Elaborating the contribution of the paramilitary forces towards regional development, the village chief said, “Assam Rifle has helped us a lot. They gave us solar electric panels and constructed playgrounds for our children. The sanitation facilities have improved with the construction of a public toilet.”
The villagers are a happy lot too, with unabated water and electricity supply.
“Our village has completely transformed. Today there is continuous water supply, electricity and a community hall has been set up,” Haokip, a villager said.
The development work and the absence of insurgency in the region has resulted in improved attendance in schools, as parents do not fear sending their children to school.
The standard of education has improved too, and children get free dresses, books and midday meals under different government schemes. More than 50 boys and girls from the area have cleared metric examination from different areas.
Security forces organize civil- military interaction programmes on a regular basis to help people streamline their lives.
At a recent function they donated chairs and tables to the primary school.
“Assam Rifles has played an important role in providing basic needs including medical, and electricity. We are ensuring that there should be connectivity to Imphal in terms of social relationship like medical relationship and also economic relationship,” an officer from the Assam Rifles said. (ANI)