Hiangzou

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name=Hiangzou | type = town| latd = 24.3|longd=93.15
locator_position=left| state_name=Manipur
district = Churachandpur
altitude=914.4
population_as_of=2001
population_total=| Hiangzou is a new ward within Churachandpur town of Manipur, India. Situated right on the left bank of the Khuga (Tuitha) river, this residential settlement developed from paddy fields. As its first lone settler, Upa P. Tuahchinhau moved to Hiangzou on 31 January 1999. More settlers joined within a couple of years.

Urban Sprawl

Hiangzou recently got normal urban facilities like electricity and metalled road. The growth of Hiangzou and its surrounding settlements partly reflect the urban sprawl of Lamka (Churachandpur), which remains the fastest growing town of modern Manipur.

Location

Branching off from Tedim road, Hiangzou is an extension of Zoveng and Khuga Tampak (Zoveng Meitei Leikai). In the past, the entire area was often referred to as Lower Lamka. New Zoveng and Zomunnuom are further extensions of Hiangzou eastward.

Background

Most of Hiangzou residents are migrants from rural areas who fled their villages as a fallout of the Zomi-Kuki ethnic conflict (1997-98). In fact, a large number of them hailed from Singngat and Behiang area. The name "Hiangzou" is also interestingly derived from another village, "Hiangtam" located in Singngat-Behiang area. Some students also live here in affordable house rents to pursue their education in the schools and colleges of Churachandpur town.

Neighborhood

Residents of Hiangzou almost exclusively belong to the Zou community. In everyday life, however, Hiangzou is like a mixed neighbourhood since it is located adjacent to settlement site of a different community, Meitei Leikai. So, most residents of Hiangzou are naturally bilingual; they fluently speak both Zou and Meitei languages. (Manipuri Meitei is the official language of the Indian state of Manipur).

Community Life

Two local churches -- Lutheran Bethel Church and Manipur Gam Presbyterian -- are located in this ward. Majority of church members at the Lutheran Bethel Church are from Hiangzou. But due to locational proximity, some members are from other areas and wards of the Lamka town, and Bethel Church practically functions like a Free Church. Moreover, the Christian Goodwill Youth Fellowship (CGYF) is active in organizing recreational activities for the youths of Hiangzou and surrounding areas.

References

* List of Zou villages & settlements in India and Burma http://zokuamthawn.bravehost.com/zomun.html

* Hiangzou's Electoral Roll 2007, Manipur, Assembly Constituency No. 58, Churachandpur (ST), Part No. 32, Registered list of voters http://ceomanipur.nic.in/ElectoralRolls2007/data/A0580032.pdf