7 July 2010: People in 10 villages want to be included in Tedim township on the other bank of Manipura River in upper Chin state, Falam township western Burma.
These villages are included in Falam township but villagers want to be included in Tedim township. But the township authorities do not seem to care. At the same time, transporting and communicating between the township centres is very difficult as roads and communication systems are in poor condition. The villages are 30 to 40 miles from Falam town and near Tedim Township.
"We used to communicate with Falam town through Manipura suspension bridges, but those broke many years ago. We don't want to live in Falam township because many times we had reported to the Township Peace and Development Council (TPDC) to rebuild the bridges but they never paid heed. So our villages want to be a part of Tedim township," a resident said.
The villages are near Tedim township and are located on the other side of Manipura river bank. The villagers in Khuabual, Saih Mun, Khawdar, Bochung, Bualmin, Belawi, Khuang Mual, Tisen, Bualkhua, Farkhawm and Zawlnu villages have to cross the Manipura River to reach Falam township.
But they faced problems crossing the Manipura River some years ago because the main suspension bridges broke.
If they want to go to Falam town, they have to cross the old suspension bridge over Manipur River. Most local people are afraid to cross the bridge, especially women and children.
"We appealed to the Township Peace and Development Council (TPDC) to rebuild the bridge many times but they have not responded” a local in Saih mun said.
So most local people are shifting to Tedim town.
A local pastor asked residents why they want to come within Tedim district. “People said because of communication problems and the TPDC’s uncaring attitude. The villages are also very far from the town. It is better to be a part of Tedim township,” residents told Khonumthung News.
However, Falam town people do not want them to be a part of Tedim township. "It is impossible to re demarcate our region so that it becomes a Tedim area. We will discuss about it with elders in Falam town. We are trying to find donations for rebuilding the main suspension bridge," said a local in Falam town.
