TIPAIMUKH

Contents

Introduction

Meaning of name

People

Situation

Introduction

'Tipaimukh' is located in south-western hilly region of Manipur bordering the Indian state of Mizoram. It is one of the six tribal development blocks of Churachandpur district in Manipur state. Parbung is the sub-divisional block headquarters. Tipaimukh is the 55th Assembly Constituency of Manipur. The present sitting Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) is Dr. Chaltonlien Amo. The total geographic area of the sub-division block is 789.48 km², having 55 villages with the total population of 23,995 approx. The total number of voters is 13,848. The total distance from the Parbung to the district headquarters town of Churachandpur is 247 km through the Tipaimukh Road.

Meaning of name

The indigenous name of “'Tipaimukh'” is “'Ruonglevaisuo'”. The word “Tipaimukh” is an amalgamation of two different words “'Tipai'” and “'Mukh'”. The word “Tipai” is the corrupted name coined for the river “'Tuivai'”, and “Mukh” meaning “'mouth'” in Bengali. Likewise, the name “Ruonglevaisuo” (ruong-le-vai-suo) is the combination of the words — “'Ruong'” from “'Tuiruong'” which is the local name for the river Barak; “'Vai'” meaning “'wade'” taken from the name of the river “'Tuivai'”; “'Suo'” meaning “'confluence'” and “le” meaning “and”. Hence, the name “Tipaimukh” or “Ruonglevaisuo” means the confluence of the Tuivai and Barak rivers.

People

The majority of the people inhabiting Tipaimukh are the indigenous Hmar people who are also spread in large numbers in neighbouring Indian states of Mizoram, Assam, Tripura and Meghalaya. The Hmars are one of the recognised Scheduled Tribes of India. The Hmars were the first to settle in this region since the 18th century. Other tribals inhabiting this region, but who are found in small numbers, are the kindred tribes of the Hmar viz., Gangte, Paite, Vaiphei, etc.

Situation

Tipaimukh is one of the most neglected regions in the state of Manipur. There is complete absence of state government establishment, no proper educational facilities, no hospitals, doctors or public health centres (PHC), no public distribution systems (PDS), no electrification and no proper communication system such as roadways, mobile or telephone connectivity. The people’s only reliable means of communication with those outside their region is through Radio. The region has been deprived of any development works for more than a decade or so.