Tamenglong, July 18: A coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) from Tamenglong district has submitted a memorandum to the Governor through the Deputy Commissioner, issuing a five-day ultimatum to address a host of critical issues plaguing the region. The move follows a massive public rally on Friday at the Tamenglong District Headquarters, which saw participation from residents of Tamenglong, Tousem, and Tamei subdivisions.

The CSOs including the Zeliangrong Civil Organisations such as ZNCM, RNCM-TL, LNCM-TZ, INU-TZ, CSAT, JTWA, and VACC, highlighted 11 pressing issues in their memorandum. Chief among these are the non-distribution of food grains under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), severe shortages in healthcare personnel and infrastructure, erratic electricity supply, and alleged land encroachment and mismanagement of public resources.

One of the core demands is the immediate release of the two-month pending quota of NFSA rice for the district. The organisations also flagged acute human resource shortages in district hospitals and primary health centres, particularly in far-flung areas such as Tousem and Oinamlong. They further demanded urgent upgradation of medical infrastructure and the establishment of a long-pending Primary Health Centre at Aziuram village.

The memorandum cited findings from a recent inquiry into NFSA rice distribution, revealing discrepancies between official gate passes and actual delivery records. Truck drivers and local witnesses alleged forged signatures and diversion of food grains — raising serious concerns about misappropriation of essential supplies.

“Years of submitting memorandums have gone unanswered. From ration to roads, hospitals to power — this is not governance, this is neglect,” said a CSO representative during the protest.

The organisations have demanded written responses and concrete timelines for redressal from the concerned authorities. Failure to meet the demands within five days — starting July 18 — will result in intensified democratic agitations including indefinite protests, road blockades, and mass mobilisation, they warned.

The CSOs held the government accountable for any unrest that may emerge from continued inaction, declaring that the people of Tamenglong could no longer remain silent amid sustained administrative apathy.