Sadar Hills Congress has urged Kangpokpi’s new Deputy Commissioner, Hemant Kumar, IAS, to give priority to concerns involving internally displaced persons (IDPs), the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and highway-related problems.
The call comes after Kumar was named as the new DC of Kangpokpi following the transfer of Mahesh Chaudhari, IAS. Chaudhari served as DC from May 2023 to July 2026 before moving to the Finance Department.
New DC faces pressing district issues
Sadar Hills Congress is seeking focused administrative attention as Kangpokpi continues to deal with the effects of the prolonged conflict in Manipur. IDP welfare remains a major concern because displaced families require access to relief, essential services and support while they remain away from their homes.
The district administration has worked with relief camps and other agencies to assist displaced people. However, continuing displacement has kept pressure on local services.
Therefore, the Congress unit’s appeal places IDP-related needs among the issues it wants the new administration to address. The focus is on practical delivery of support and better coordination at the district level.
SIR concerns remain important
Sadar Hills Congress has also highlighted problems linked to the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of the Electoral Roll, 2026. During a district-level review meeting in Kangpokpi on August 2, the party raised concerns over difficulties faced by residents, village authorities and Booth Level Officers in collecting and uploading required documents.
The meeting was chaired by the then DC and District Election Officer Mahesh Chaudhari and attended by election officials and representatives of political parties. The SH-DCC delegation was led by its president, Dr Lamtinthang Haokip.
According to the review report, Kangpokpi had 99,849 eligible voters in the draft electoral roll, while 57,025 discrepancies were recorded. The party also raised concerns about orphaned applicants, IDPs and technical limits in the BLO mobile application.
Officials said no eligible voter would be left out of the electoral roll and that concerns raised by political parties would be addressed with the competent authorities. Hearings on discrepancies had also begun in Kangpokpi Assembly Constituency.
Highway issue adds to local concerns
Sadar Hills Congress is also seeking attention to highway-related problems in the district. Roads linking Kangpokpi with other parts of Manipur are important for movement, trade, services and relief operations.
Highway expansion and land-related concerns have previously generated tension in Kangpokpi. In 2021, student bodies and civil society groups approached the DC over the Asian Highway expansion issue, seeking a settlement of concerns raised by affected communities.
The highway network remains especially important during a period when many residents and displaced families depend on road transport. Consequently, the party’s request for administrative attention reflects the need to keep connectivity and public concerns in focus.
Administrative response will be watched
Hemant Kumar’s appointment comes as Kangpokpi’s administration handles several sensitive issues at once. He had previously served in the district as an SDO and later took charge as the new DC after Chaudhari’s transfer.
The administration has continued work on public services, security coordination and development. Recent district activities included a review meeting of the Narcotics Coordination Committee, where officials discussed measures against drug trafficking, illegal poppy cultivation and substance abuse.
For the Congress unit, however, immediate attention to IDPs, electoral revision and highway concerns remains important. These issues affect daily life as well as access to government services.
Focus on delivery and coordination
The new administration’s handling of these concerns will be closely watched by residents and local organisations. The SIR process, in particular, requires clear communication because documentation difficulties can affect voters during the revision exercise.
Meanwhile, IDP-related support requires coordination among district officials, relief agencies and local bodies. Highway concerns also involve different departments and agencies, making sustained administrative coordination necessary.
Overall, the Sadar Hills Congress appeal comes at a time when Kangpokpi is managing humanitarian, electoral and infrastructure-related challenges. The new DC will now be expected to work with stakeholders and relevant authorities as the district addresses these continuing concerns.
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