324/2022-2023
Champhai, the 1st February 2023: Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati arrived at Champhai town this morning for a two-day official trip. Pu T.J. Lalnuntluanga, Forest Minister and a constituent MLA gave him company on this visit. The first of the Governor's itinerary was interaction with the head of offices in the District at DC's Conference Hall, Champhai. After the interaction with the officials, Governor had interviews with the leaders from the Church organizations, NGOs and Political Parties.

The official function at DC's Conference Hall, Champhai began with a welcome address by Pu James Lalrinchhana, Deputy Commissioner of Champhai District. After a self-introduction from the district head of offices, Pu Lalrinpuia Varte, Superintendent of Police Champhai gave a presentation on the Security Scenarios of Champhai District. This was followed by a PowerPoint presentation on the Champhai District profile by Deputy Commissioner.

Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati thanked the Deputy Commissioner and the Superintendent of Police for detailed presentations on the district profile and the security scenarios. He agreed that Champhai District has a unique location, climate, and scenic beauty to be transformed into both an important economic hub and a tourism hotspot. He urged all the heads of offices to continue performing to achieve targets set for them. He also insisted that the officials needed to expedite some projects with 100% from the Central government to be completed in a stipulated time frame. He explained that any delay in these kinds of projects blocked the initiation of new projects which in turn deprived the beneficiaries. He appealed to all the district officials to try harder to ensure that maximum benefits reached the maximum number of beneficiaries. He also urged the bankers and bank officials to increase their awareness campaign on various social security schemes that are available for subscription at a very low sum of money.

Pu T. J. Lalnuntluanga, Minister of State for Environment, Forest & Climate Change(EF&CC) and constituent MLA also addressed the officials on this occasion. He thanked Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati for visiting his home district and having a first-hand experience of the district and its people. He took an opportunity to request the Governor to help them in their pursuits for the establishment of MZU Eastern Campus, the promotion tourism industry, and the upgradation of the Land Customs Station at Zokhawthar to ICP.

Pu Lalrinpuia Varte, SP, Champhai District, in his presentation apprised the Governor on trans-border crime, Smuggling and reverse Smuggling of illicit drugs and dry arecanut and other contrabands, the menace of smuggling of exotic animals, an influx of Myanmar refugee issue and challenges in coping with Free Movement Regime.

Pu James Lalrinchhana, DC, Champhai District gave a detailed presentation on the district profile. The presentation focused on the salient features of the district, the progress reports of important departments implementing centrally sponsored schemes, and the potential of the district in important sectors.

As per the report of DC, Champhai, the district has an area of 3,185 SqKm with a population of, 1,25,745(2011). One of the issues faced in the district at present is hosting the increasing influx of Myanmar refugees. As of 28.1.2023, the official record has shown that there are 9751 refugees within the district. It is also reported that there are 48 villages within the FMR belt( free movement across each side of the border up to the distance of 16 KM).

The interaction program with the district officials concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Pi Esther Leihang, SDC, Champhai.