- By: RS Jassal
Scholars affirm cardinal points in history which never bend, even though, it entails multiple interpretations. But what happens if history gets blocked to flow straight. Does it not create confusion and gives wrong direction? Yes, it does. This is exactly the case with Sadar Hills story. Its historical details are like a fairy tale.
Name in itself is very attractive, derived from a Persian word ‘Sadar’ which means closer to HQ close on to the analogy of Sadar Bazars in Army cantonments in big cities in India fostered by the then British Administration. Name Sadar Hills was conceived as long back as 1933, by a British Political Officer Mr. JC Higgins. It came up of its own, not as a product of any agitation, coaxing, JAC- bandh or petitioned to authorities and may be without any political motive . It appears it emerged just out of administrative expediency. Take a service protractor ( of geometry box) and measuring tape to examine the distances from hill bases to the end of currently hill districts- alround East- West-North- South, study the pattern of hills and travelling efforts coupled with hazards involving particularly in absence of gravelled/ tarmac roads of those times; though ironically not any different from today’s scenario other than that roads are cut; to reach the capital. Apparently it was too strenuous to traverse areas on foot to avail adminstrative services. Chandel, Chakpikarong, Tengnoupal (though Hills) were administered from Imphal. Up to Aug 1947, Hills Areas remained under direct governance of the Regent and the valley under Durbar.
Accession and standstill Agreement both signed on same day i.e. 11 Aug 1947, the governance patterns did not change. Newly installed State Assembly passed two Acts in 1947 called Hill Area Act and Plain Area Act making no change in pattern of governance. After merger, Manipur became ‘C’- Category state and in 1949-1950 Manipur state was declared as one District Administration. Pattern of governance of Hills with no change and Sadar Hill as part of Senapati continued to be considered as Hill Sub Division like Ukhrul Sub Division , Churachandpur Sub Division. In 1950, the HQ of Sadar Hills functioning at Imphal was shifted to Kangpokpi. In 1962-63, the Govt. attempted to divide Manipur Admin into three Districts- namely Central Distt, North Distt(Ukhrul, Tamenglong-Senapati) and the rest Hill areas under CCPur but met with opposition from Tamenglong area. This happened during JM ‘s tenure as Chief Commissioner. Ultimately in 1969 Baleshwar Prashad as CC divided Admin into five Districts:-
a) Central Distt (Imphal),
b) North Distt (Karong),
c) South Distt (Churachandpur)
d) East Distt (Ukhrul)
e) West Distt (Tamenglong)
Population then in the Hill Distts as per 1971 census was;
a) North Distt - 1,80,000
b) South Distt - 98,000
c) East Distt - 62,000
d) West Distt - 46,000
In 1971 to full fill demand of tribal’s, GOI promulgated Autonomous District Councils vide Sub Section (4) of Section 3 of the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council Act, 1971. Six Hill Districts including Sadar Hills were named. Chandel, Tengnoupal, Chakpikarong continued to remain as Hill sub Divs direct under Central District. In 1972, Manipur attained full fledged Statehood. So under Article 371-C of the Constitution. HAC (Hill Area Committee) came into force and thus names of four Revenue Districts remained in tact and Chakpikarong –Chandel- Tengnoupal Hills revenue Sub Divisions still functioned under Central District. In 1972, one man Commission under Mr. Juyal tried to bring more areas like Litan to New Heaven and parts of Nomdang Tangkhul into its fold but failed . It was in 1974 that these three Sub Divisions were combined and put under one and separate Hill revenue distt with HQs at Tengnoupal later shifted to Chandel . With 1971 census as base population 43,000 a new full district came up. So only Hills Sub Division Sadar Hills awaited to be declared as full revenue district. Again RK Ranbir Singh Ministry ventured to do so in 1993 but fairy madam flew away. Chandel Distt creation was success story attributed to Alamuddin then CM, who had full support of Hill leaders like late Y.Shaiza other hill leaders. For Sadar Hills an other attempt was made by RK Dorendro Singh during his regime but remained incomplete.
With this background, and march of events in between Rishang Ministry put up an ordinance to the Governor to declare Sadar Hills as District and same was signed to by the Governor but ordinance was withdrawn due to obvious contrarian pulls. Nipamacha Ministry geared up the guts and fixed a date in Oct 1997 to open Sadar Hills as District at Saparemeina. Adequate buildings were constructed and all the functional Deptt were upgraded but decision was put on hold. It was to cover two circles Saikul & Kangpokpi then, Since all Hill Districts were having three A/C in State Assembly so new Saitu circle was created in 1998 to make it three circles Saikul with population 51,438, Saitu with - 44,130 and Sadar Hill west- 60,945 are functioning at par with Senapati but within Senapati which also has three circles A/C viz-a-viz Mao-Maram- 69,131, Paomata 27,065 and Purul- 30,912. Thus Senapati has 3 MsLA from population of 1,27,108 and Sadar Hills also 3 MsLA having a population of 1,56,513. Sadar Hills is having three tribe/communities like other Hill revenue Distts. Sadar Hills with all paraphernalia obtaining of a district is existing on ground & offices are functioning, all having letter Added as prefix to say Addl. DC, Addl .SP etc. It is also an open secret if Sadar Hills is declared as Revenue Distt it will create good will among the people living in the Sadar Hills which is existing of now also of coarsely. Though this statement is not immune to invite sharp reaction from one particular group of a major tribe . The District will be in the middle of Hills of Senapati Hill & Valley as enclave. Yet preponderance of one particular tribe which is almost in all other Hill districts too will not be of any hindrance in functioning of the Distt other than ‘WHY IT SHOULD BE CREATED’ Moreover agonizing experience of 1992-93 of ethnic bloody bouts on IT road & elsewhere clearly demonstrates that both tribe leaders understand full advantages of living together. During those black years too killings were not done by ‘of area’ inhabitants, they were by ‘off area’ elements with intent to spread psycho fear and utter confusion. Analyze if that had happened where that tribe would have gone- may be not beyond other Sadar Hills ranges only. What would have been the consequences .............. ? When fog of confusion cleared, it was either side Tribal leaders only who sat together and decided not to ask for any Police or AR or Army cover but just to forget & forgive and stay as they used to be. This people to people contact strategy worked. Today they are living as they were & it gives look of apparent peace and UG elements are found in each other & tribal organisations to make or mar each other one may refer to splinter UG groups in both major tribes. It is also a surprise why Govt. doesn’t wish to capitalize on this positive change for a permanent resolution of the issue
Considering population numbers, tally A/C, numbers of three each, functional feasibility, in all fitness and fairness Govt. may consider breaking psycho political barriers and declare Sadar Hills as a Revenue District at the earliest possible opportunity. Its advantages will be many - disadvantages NIL. So let the fog covering Sadar negativities go so that clear image starts functioning !!! Even if needed some other name be founded. If there can be Imphal East and West, why there cannot be Senapati North & South??
Source: http://www.kanglaonline.com/index.php?template=kshow&kid=1312&Idoc_Session=979da89a0a6bea68c3098eea741f4eb8
Scholars affirm cardinal points in history which never bend, even though, it entails multiple interpretations. But what happens if history gets blocked to flow straight. Does it not create confusion and gives wrong direction? Yes, it does. This is exactly the case with Sadar Hills story. Its historical details are like a fairy tale.
Name in itself is very attractive, derived from a Persian word ‘Sadar’ which means closer to HQ close on to the analogy of Sadar Bazars in Army cantonments in big cities in India fostered by the then British Administration. Name Sadar Hills was conceived as long back as 1933, by a British Political Officer Mr. JC Higgins. It came up of its own, not as a product of any agitation, coaxing, JAC- bandh or petitioned to authorities and may be without any political motive . It appears it emerged just out of administrative expediency. Take a service protractor ( of geometry box) and measuring tape to examine the distances from hill bases to the end of currently hill districts- alround East- West-North- South, study the pattern of hills and travelling efforts coupled with hazards involving particularly in absence of gravelled/ tarmac roads of those times; though ironically not any different from today’s scenario other than that roads are cut; to reach the capital. Apparently it was too strenuous to traverse areas on foot to avail adminstrative services. Chandel, Chakpikarong, Tengnoupal (though Hills) were administered from Imphal. Up to Aug 1947, Hills Areas remained under direct governance of the Regent and the valley under Durbar.
Accession and standstill Agreement both signed on same day i.e. 11 Aug 1947, the governance patterns did not change. Newly installed State Assembly passed two Acts in 1947 called Hill Area Act and Plain Area Act making no change in pattern of governance. After merger, Manipur became ‘C’- Category state and in 1949-1950 Manipur state was declared as one District Administration. Pattern of governance of Hills with no change and Sadar Hill as part of Senapati continued to be considered as Hill Sub Division like Ukhrul Sub Division , Churachandpur Sub Division. In 1950, the HQ of Sadar Hills functioning at Imphal was shifted to Kangpokpi. In 1962-63, the Govt. attempted to divide Manipur Admin into three Districts- namely Central Distt, North Distt(Ukhrul, Tamenglong-Senapati) and the rest Hill areas under CCPur but met with opposition from Tamenglong area. This happened during JM ‘s tenure as Chief Commissioner. Ultimately in 1969 Baleshwar Prashad as CC divided Admin into five Districts:-
a) Central Distt (Imphal),
b) North Distt (Karong),
c) South Distt (Churachandpur)
d) East Distt (Ukhrul)
e) West Distt (Tamenglong)
Population then in the Hill Distts as per 1971 census was;
a) North Distt - 1,80,000
b) South Distt - 98,000
c) East Distt - 62,000
d) West Distt - 46,000
In 1971 to full fill demand of tribal’s, GOI promulgated Autonomous District Councils vide Sub Section (4) of Section 3 of the Manipur (Hill Areas) District Council Act, 1971. Six Hill Districts including Sadar Hills were named. Chandel, Tengnoupal, Chakpikarong continued to remain as Hill sub Divs direct under Central District. In 1972, Manipur attained full fledged Statehood. So under Article 371-C of the Constitution. HAC (Hill Area Committee) came into force and thus names of four Revenue Districts remained in tact and Chakpikarong –Chandel- Tengnoupal Hills revenue Sub Divisions still functioned under Central District. In 1972, one man Commission under Mr. Juyal tried to bring more areas like Litan to New Heaven and parts of Nomdang Tangkhul into its fold but failed . It was in 1974 that these three Sub Divisions were combined and put under one and separate Hill revenue distt with HQs at Tengnoupal later shifted to Chandel . With 1971 census as base population 43,000 a new full district came up. So only Hills Sub Division Sadar Hills awaited to be declared as full revenue district. Again RK Ranbir Singh Ministry ventured to do so in 1993 but fairy madam flew away. Chandel Distt creation was success story attributed to Alamuddin then CM, who had full support of Hill leaders like late Y.Shaiza other hill leaders. For Sadar Hills an other attempt was made by RK Dorendro Singh during his regime but remained incomplete.
With this background, and march of events in between Rishang Ministry put up an ordinance to the Governor to declare Sadar Hills as District and same was signed to by the Governor but ordinance was withdrawn due to obvious contrarian pulls. Nipamacha Ministry geared up the guts and fixed a date in Oct 1997 to open Sadar Hills as District at Saparemeina. Adequate buildings were constructed and all the functional Deptt were upgraded but decision was put on hold. It was to cover two circles Saikul & Kangpokpi then, Since all Hill Districts were having three A/C in State Assembly so new Saitu circle was created in 1998 to make it three circles Saikul with population 51,438, Saitu with - 44,130 and Sadar Hill west- 60,945 are functioning at par with Senapati but within Senapati which also has three circles A/C viz-a-viz Mao-Maram- 69,131, Paomata 27,065 and Purul- 30,912. Thus Senapati has 3 MsLA from population of 1,27,108 and Sadar Hills also 3 MsLA having a population of 1,56,513. Sadar Hills is having three tribe/communities like other Hill revenue Distts. Sadar Hills with all paraphernalia obtaining of a district is existing on ground & offices are functioning, all having letter Added as prefix to say Addl. DC, Addl .SP etc. It is also an open secret if Sadar Hills is declared as Revenue Distt it will create good will among the people living in the Sadar Hills which is existing of now also of coarsely. Though this statement is not immune to invite sharp reaction from one particular group of a major tribe . The District will be in the middle of Hills of Senapati Hill & Valley as enclave. Yet preponderance of one particular tribe which is almost in all other Hill districts too will not be of any hindrance in functioning of the Distt other than ‘WHY IT SHOULD BE CREATED’ Moreover agonizing experience of 1992-93 of ethnic bloody bouts on IT road & elsewhere clearly demonstrates that both tribe leaders understand full advantages of living together. During those black years too killings were not done by ‘of area’ inhabitants, they were by ‘off area’ elements with intent to spread psycho fear and utter confusion. Analyze if that had happened where that tribe would have gone- may be not beyond other Sadar Hills ranges only. What would have been the consequences .............. ? When fog of confusion cleared, it was either side Tribal leaders only who sat together and decided not to ask for any Police or AR or Army cover but just to forget & forgive and stay as they used to be. This people to people contact strategy worked. Today they are living as they were & it gives look of apparent peace and UG elements are found in each other & tribal organisations to make or mar each other one may refer to splinter UG groups in both major tribes. It is also a surprise why Govt. doesn’t wish to capitalize on this positive change for a permanent resolution of the issue
Considering population numbers, tally A/C, numbers of three each, functional feasibility, in all fitness and fairness Govt. may consider breaking psycho political barriers and declare Sadar Hills as a Revenue District at the earliest possible opportunity. Its advantages will be many - disadvantages NIL. So let the fog covering Sadar negativities go so that clear image starts functioning !!! Even if needed some other name be founded. If there can be Imphal East and West, why there cannot be Senapati North & South??
Source: http://www.kanglaonline.com/index.php?template=kshow&kid=1312&Idoc_Session=979da89a0a6bea68c3098eea741f4eb8
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