Singngat

Singngat
—  sudvision headquarter  —
Singngat Location of Singngat in Manipur and India
Coordinates	24°8′58″N 93°35′28″E
Country	India
State	Manipur
District(s)	Churachandpur
Population	21,174 (2011)
Time zone	IST (UTC+05:30)
Codes • Pincode • 795135 • Telephone • +3852

A panoramic view of Singngat town

Singngat is one of the sub-divisional headquarters of Churachandpur district in the Indian state of Manipur and is a key administrative centre in the southwestern border of the state. The Manipur Government officially recorded the name as Singhat, that's because the Meiteis find it difficult to pronounce the original name.

Singngat, a beautiful hilly village, skirted by sprawling plains below, has a very pleasant climate, that is comparable to the climate of Shillong.

Second to none when it comes to matters of awareness and progress, self esteem and valour and the birthplace of many a great folklore, which will be always cherished and remembered, that in short is Singngat. It is the birthplace and humble beginnings of prominent businessmen, academicians, officers, artisans, writers, singers and songwriters, musicians, comedians, sportsmen and others who have excelled in their varied achievements. It is with great pleasure to recollect that it has an educational institution that has been recognised for its excellence even at the state level and was also a proud owner of a movie theatre at one point of time. The many great singers and their music albums it has produced, the books, novels, journals and articles it has churned out, and a very enlightening documentary and a couple of motion pictures it brought out, and the famous ‘Singngat Special’ tea has greatly enhanced the value of its ‘Soft Power’. These are its identity which will live on for posterity.

Geography

It is a tiny border town between the international boundary of India and Myanmar. It is connected by road to the Burmese town of Tedim. Singngat is about 32 km from the district headquarters, i.e., Lamka and around 115 km from Sinzawl village bordering Mizoram. Behiang, a thriving trade center on the Indo-Myanmar border is 25 km away from Singngat. Singngat stands at a perfect geographical position; Tedim Road, starting from Imphal, the state capital, then Lamka, passes through Singngat and enters Behiang which extends further down till Tedim Township in Myanmar; and Guite Road starts from Singngat and passes through Sinzawl village which finally makes its way to Aizawl in Mizoram.

Society, Religion and Economy

Singngat is inhabited by several tribes who have almost the same social order as well as community laws and follow Christianity. There are 13 (thirteen) denominations - Evangelical Baptist Convention (EBC), Presbyterian Church of India (Reformed) [PCI(R)], New Testament Baptist Church (NTBC), Manipur Evangelical Lutheran Church (MELC), Zou Presbyterian Church (ZPCS), Chin Baptist Association (CBA), Kuki Baptist Church (KBC), Kuki Convention Church (KCC), United Pentecostal Church (UPC), Catholic Church, Salvation Army, Sabath and Seventh Day Adventist.

A major milestone had been achieved with the formation of Zomi Youth Association (ZYA) in Singngat in 2010. ZYA, thus, is the apex body of all philanthropic organisations in Singngat. Young Paite Association (YPA), Simte Youth Organiastion (SYO) and Singngat Youth Club (SYC) became constituent members of ZYA Singngat.

Most of the indigenous local inhabitants of the village depend on agriculture and earn their livelihood from growing crops. As the village is blessed with suitable Agro climatic endowments, various cash crops like gingers, soya beans, beans, brinjals etc., help the village to earn their revenue. The people mostly practice the traditional method of shifting cultivation, which is popularly referred to as jhum. Rice is the principal crop in the agricultural economy of the village. Cottage industries like handloom, furniture, agricultural equipment, woven textiles, and bamboo and cane work have also played vital role in generating revenue for the inhabitants.

History of Singngat

According to the recollections of Khupkhanhau Munluo, the present chief of Singngat, the village was founded by Pu Sumtual from Suangzang (Burma) in 1800. They first settled in the present location of Standard High school and the village owed its name to the many thin and tall trees that were in abundance around the Galleng ravine. This was the earlier location of the village inhabited by the first settlers.

The Chiefs of Singngat
Pu Shingvial Munluo (1805-1845)
Pu Shinghen munluo (1845-1905)
Pu Sawmthong Munluo (1905-1915)
Pu Tonghau Munluo (1915-1932)
Pu Thangzalam munluo (1932-1948)
Pu Khupkhanhau Munluo (1949-till date)

The extent of Singngat Village
When it was first founded, the geographical area of Singngat extended to Lanva river in the east, Tuivai river in the west, Tuitha (Khuga) river in the north and the southern end extended till Tuila river. The villagers often clashed with the villages under Haokip chieftainship. Since they were not able to protect the vast expanse of their territory, they made a truce and put up the head of a Mithun to mark the northern boundary of Singngat between the present day Mata Mualtam and Gelzang villages. As the Haokip chieftains expanded the area of their villages, they again clashed at Zezaw village and it came under the authority of the Haokip chiefs. The Haokip chiefs declared the area u pto Likhai river as “Haokip Reserves” and at one point of time attempted to put Singngat villages under their authority. This led to Pu Letkhup Munluo and Haokip Tatara Hemlam Haokip Suongpi to a wrestling bout over the conflict. And as Pu Letkhup emerged victorious, they agreed to keep the boundary of Singngat at Paldai river which remains the boundary of Singngat to this day.

The Brunts of Ethnic Conflict (1997-98)

Till the Kuki–Zomi Ethnic Clash 1997–98, Singngat had a fairly busy bazaar. Singngat had been a prosperous town with different ethnic people living together harmoniously. But that has become a thing of the past. Sadly, the once bustling town now turns into a seemingly small hamlet - quiet, dark, desolate, empty, neglected and abandoned. A large part of the town was burned down during the said conflict. From then on, Singngat started treading the path of degeneration. And as of to date, it could not recover its morale and market.

It can be truly said that the Kuki-Zomi conflict was the root cause for the downfall and gradual disintegration of its morale, economy and progress of the town. But thanks to efforts by the powers that be, it is now a part of a military and civilian partnership. Singngat is currently under redevelopment as a Model Village by the Government of India, even though many of the projected results are yet to be achieved.

Local Administration: A failed system

The Government machinery has completely collapsed and there is little, or no, sign that this place is part of the Indian state. The Sub-Divisional Officer's headquarters has been abandoned and its rundown rooms stripped of so much as a filing cabinet. The SDO and the office persons have been working actively in Lamka for quite sometime now. Not much remains of the police station either, which was set on fire by ethnic-Meitei insurgents in 2001. The fire department has no staff, but an almost-red truck rusting in a shed bears witness to the fact that it once existed. The boarded-up Singngat post office has a sign proclaiming that it works from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., but no one who is not well past their teens has any idea what the red cylindrical box outside the building is for. There is a government-run school, but again, without teachers. The school building itself has since been occupied by the army. The once magnificent Community Hall stands a little more like a colossal wreck becoming a good place for garbage dumping.

Crumbling Health Care

Gone are the days when well-equipped doctors and nurses attended to patients under the sprawling expanse of the hospital building in downtown Singngat. The building now stands in a forgotten corner, slowly wasting away as time goes by. Doctors who are posted there rarely visit the place. The people would call it their lucky day when doctors make a fleeting visit, that too, once every two months or so. This being the case, critically ill persons have no option than rush to the district hospital in Lamka, which is more than a two-hour drive from Singngat. A worn-out veterinary hospital building exists, but no doctors come to work there. It becomes a safe haven for pigs, cows and dogs with no one to take good care of them.

Perennial Water Scarcity

But the real problem, hitherto has not yet been mentioned. Water scarcity and dilapidated Singngat-Lamka road condition had been grappling the people of Singngat since time begun. People have to undergo tremendous hardships in fetching water to as far away a tiny stream as over one to two kilometers, everyday, which is flowing in barely more than a trickle. A decade ago, water was pumped by electric motors and were supplied to the households through pipelines. Nothing of this sort now.

Transportation by Road

Roads are our lifelines and economic arteries. But the Lamka-Singngat road is in a horrible condition, despite a generous funding of over Rs.100 lakhs from 2003-2006. Today it is worse than a bullock cart road due to its deep potholes. People are being overwhelmed with fear and uncertainty when they take a bus ride down the unkempt, pot-holed and dusty Tedim Road. Through this day, the infamous ‘Zezaw tou’, the most terrible part of the Tedim Road stretch, continues to haunt travelers using the roadway. Just imagine how the bus fares between Lamka-Imphal (over 60 km) and Lamka-Singngat (barely 30 km) could be the same.

Corruption in Public Works

Till now, no one is interested in Singngat as a place. It is simply seen as a political battlefield for capturing loyal voters. The poor fight among themselves in the hope of pleasing corrupt politicians. Without any economic agenda, politicians simply fool around by fueling tribal conflicts along feudal clan lines, or along tribe lines. The paralyzing spirit of cynicism is quite annoying in the state, where corrupt politicians and militants out perform each other in pulling down the fabric of development. The colonial-style of power equation and feudal system of local government chain our people while the rest of India is flying. The poor people have been bogged down by deprivation and hopelessness over the years. And their deafening voices are unheard, their dying cries are disregarded.

Educational Infrastructure

The town of Singngat did not lag behind other places of Manipur in terms of education. There were two (2) fledge high schools and 2 (two) Jr. High schools, including one government aided high school and one government aided jr. high school, namely: 1. Singngat Government High School 2. Hill Model Aided High School, 3. Singngat Standard Jr. High School, 4. St. Joseph’s School Students from the surrounding villages came together here in Singngat. Hill Model High School, which was established way back in 1971, continued to be the premier educational institution. The school had even produced a top 5th position holder all over Manipur in the class X board examination in 1995. However, the educational system started falling apart during the 1997 ethnic clash and as of the present day, the system follows the slow process of regaining its past vigor. With no teachers as well as students the government school building is being occupied by the Indian army. This may seem a fringe benefit for the teachers posted there. And it’s hard to tell what future may have in store for those poor students who could not afford to study in private-run institutions. And it is painful to see so many poor children, grim and dirty, dressed in rags, loitering around the streets while their counterparts pass by, wearing bright school uniforms. They stared at them longingly, a gleam of envy in their eyes.

Politics

Singngat is part of Outer Manipur (Lok Sabha constituency). It is comprised of Singngat (Singhat) Sub-division. Elected of Members of Manipur Legislative Assembly from Singngat constituency since 1977 are as follows:
1. Thangkhanlal INC(I) 1980
2. T Gouzadou INC 1984
3. Thangkhanlal KNA 1990
4. T Gouzadou NPP 1995
5. N Zatawn JD(U) 2000
6. Thangso Baite MSCP 2002
7. T Hangkhanpao NPP 2007

Singngat Vision 2020

Introduction
For the first time in the history of Singngat, a grand carnival, ‘Singngat Special Meet 2011’ was organized on the 29th December 2011 at Hill Model High School campus in Singngat. It was a historic event wherein diaspora Singngatians scattered across the globe came home to Singngat; an auspicious occasion wherein Singngatians were captivated by a momentary pang of nostalgia; a joyous moment wherein the present inhabitants and diaspora Singngatians shared their glorious past. In fact, it’s a journey back to the times of Singngat Vanglaini. A time to reminisce. A time to honour the memories of the departed souls who walked the street of Singngat. And, a time to come back home!

The gatherings while enjoying the glitzy moments incidentally got hold of the current scenario of Singngat. It is quite upsetting to observe that the town has been lying utterly neglected and deprived of developmental works and treading the path of degeneration. And no development works worth mentioning the name especially in the aftermath of the ethnic clash of 1997-98. The once bustling town now looks more like a ghost town - quiet, dark, desolate, empty, neglected and abandoned.

With a sense of deep concern on the current state of affairs, the collective leaderships of Team Delhi, Team Shillong, Team Lamka, Team Imphal, Team Singngat, etc have painstaking deliberations on the issue. The collective leadership, thereupon, unanimously resolved to adopt a vision document “Singngat Vision – 2020” with a pledge to strive towards achieving the points given therein. The Vision is expected to be attained by 2020.

Singngat Vision 2020

1. Drinking water: Water scarcity that grappled the people of Singngat since time immemorial is expected to be a thing of the past. Areas around Singngat township including the villages of Sumchinvum, Haiyang, Lhaiyang, Muallum, Tangpizawl, Muvanlai, Khomunnuom, Sialnah, Lancha, Teikot, Likhai, Munpi, Simbuk etc will be supplied with pure drinking water with the installation of a major water supply project by pumping water from Tuitha or Tuivai rivers that will be stored in reservoirs at different locations.

Construction of a huge water reservoir on the upper course of Paldai stream is also another option which will also serve the twin purposes of a tourist attraction as well as a recreation centre (water sports).

2. Higher Secondary School: Upgrading of all the High Schools to Higher Secondary level in Singngat is expected to ease the burden of parents to a large extent. It is expected to be realized within the next two to three years. Students pursuing Higher Secondary Education (Class-XII) will no more need to leave the town for further studies. Besides, it is desirable that Private educational institutions particularly Higher Secondary schools in Lamka will be impressed upon the need to provide free education to the under privilege children by setting up branches at Singngat in terms of the policy of the government of India.

3. Community Centre cum Recreation Club: A Community Centre and Recreation Club will make its entry into the town by 2020. The Centre will house various indoor games viz Table tennis, badminton, etc. along with a public library. The center will cater to the needs of children for recreation and creative pursuits.

4. Sanitation: Clean and hygienic toilets will be installed at various points within the town. This will also encourage all households to have septic and hygienic toilets thereby paving the way for proper sanitation system in the village. Funding schemes for such activities will be explored through the National Toilet Mission/Sanitation Mission.

5. Road & Transport: All village roads will be blacktopped. Pavement and footpath will also be cemented by 2020. Road transport will also be properly improved. Highways or roads connecting Singngat, street lights and signage (sign boards) will be installed at convenient locations.

6. Telecommunication: BSNL will no longer be the sole Mobile and cellular service provider. Private Services like AirTel, Aircel, Vodafone, Reliance, etc. will make its entry into the town. The healthy competition amongst the service providers will also do away with the network problems. Besides, internet connectivity will also be made available which will facilitate reliable communication with other places of the world. The defunct CIC (Under NIC) will be made functional.

7. Hospital: Private or Mission Hospital will be set up by 2020.

Private/Mission agencies will be contacted to survey the possibilities for setting up of such a hospital. It will provide the much needed health care facility of the town and its surrounding villages. Interested NGO`s will be contacted for setting up Old Age Home, Orphanage Centre and Alcohol/Drug/Trauma Rehabilitation cum Counseling Center.

8. Economy: Cottage industries like handloom, furniture, agricultural equipment, woven textiles, and bamboo and cane work will play a vital role in strengthening the weak economy of the town. Sustainable developments will be facilitated by the suitable Agriculture, Plantation, Horticulture, Fishery, Poultry and Animal Husbandry projects thereby giving a boost to the economy. Banking facilities will be augmented to facilitate private entrepreneurs to set up craft centres and processing plants of local produces.

9. Tourist attractions: Naturally, Singngat is a beautiful hilly town with a pleasant climate. It is, therefore, observed that if efforts were taken to beautify the town it will attract tourists around the globe. Hotels and Resorts, recreation facilities etc. will be constructed at suitable locations to attract tourists.

10. Back to Singngat Project (Resettlement): Diaspora Singngatians will be attracted by the development that takes place in Singngat and its vicinity.

New township will be developed between Tourist Lodge and Thahdou veng with the active participation of the village Chief by shifting the localities of Bethel veng, Mission Veng, Station veng, Zion veng and Sim veng. Original settlers of Singngat Village who had left the place will be invited to resettle at Singngat by allotting house plots with the condition that each allotee shall construct a house within five years from the date of allotment. New road alignment from Tourist lodge (hausapu nahtang farm) approaching Thangpu Fishery pond and connecting Tiddim road at Guite road junction will be constructed to benefit the new settlement. The major project will include the construction of market complex, sports centres, Schools, etc. and a rehabilitation financial package to the affected families which is expected to result in a better living environment. It is expected that there will not be even a single Thatched Roofed House in the New Township. The Official name Singhat will be changed to its original identity i.e. Singngat.

This Vision Document will be monitored very closely by the civil society and the implementation of the schemes being adopted will be reviewed on an annual basis by the Singngat Vision 2020 Implementation Committee.

This Vision Document shall provide guidance to the Government of Manipur, elected representatives, Village chief, Village Authority members, concerned Government officials Philanthropic organizations, civil society leaders and the public at large.

Adopted on this day, the 5th, January, 2012.

~By the Collective Leadership, Singngat Special Meet 2011

References

• Singngat Block http://cicmanipur.nic.in/html/sing.asp
• The Fall of Singngat http://vaphualization.blogspot.com/2009/07/remembering-july-7-1997.html
• Aerial view of Singngat http://wikimapia.org/4667141/Singngat