In a grassroots mobilisation effort, Youth Rise for Change (YR4C) has completed visits to 36 villages across Senapati district, rallying communities against corruption and pushing for transparency in government projects, particularly the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) and North East Development Bank (NDB) schemes.
During the campaign, the YR4C team visited eight Mao villages—Shajouba, Makhel, Kaibi, Tobupfii, R. Solephe, Chowainu, Pudunamei and Song Song—revealing widespread irregularities and a startling lack of awareness among village authorities, women and youth regarding sanctioned water supply projects.
According to YR4C, the absence of consultation while preparing the DPRs led to severe mismatches between the number of actual households and the sanctioned amount for Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTCs), allowing PHED officials and implementing agencies to allegedly manipulate data.
In Makhel, women spoke emotionally about years of hardship due to unfulfilled promises under JJM. “We’ve been waiting for so long, struggling for daily water,” said one woman as villagers expressed relief at seeing youth take up their cause. Villages such as Makhel, Tobupfii, Pudunamei and Song Song displayed strong enthusiasm, pledging full support to YR4C’s anti-corruption movement.
A village authority member from Song Song declared, “We will no longer be fooled by false promises. It’s time to demand accountability.”
Calling for collective action, YR4C urged citizens across Manipur to join the movement to ensure transparency, protect indigenous rights and secure inclusive development for all.
