In Manipur, a build-it-yourself road, led by inspiring IAS officer

Residents of Tamenlong district in Manipur, tired of years of being fobbed off by the government, have decided to build for themselves a much needed main road to link the district to nearby towns of Assam and Nagaland.

The inspiration for the community that's working on the road is a young civil servant, Armstrong Pamei, who himself had to walked for nearly 24 hours to visit his home during school breaks. Lately he has galvanized villagers and helped raise funds in social media forums.

Through this photo gallery, we take a look at the people here and the effort they are putting in to get themselves a road.

In this picture: Roads fraught with danger (Photo courtesy: Kishalay Bhattacharjee)

No vehicles can pass by without breaking down at least once. (Photo courtesy: Kishalay Bhattacharjee)

Since the motorable bridges was washed away villagers have constructed a hanging bridge to cross over. (Photo courtesy: Kishalay Bhattacharjee)

A village elder of Phoklong village wearing marigold flowers as ear rings. (Photo courtesy: Kishalay Bhattacharjee)

A Zeme tribal. (Photo courtesy: Kishalay Bhattacharjee)

Every home has a loom and they wear clothes woven at home. (Photo courtesy: Kishalay Bhattacharjee)

Villagers volunteering to build the road. (Photo courtesy: Kishalay Bhattacharjee)

Road construction. (Photo courtesy: Kishalay Bhattacharjee)

There were more women than men moving the mountains. (Photo courtesy: Kishalay Bhattacharjee)

Armstrong Pamei poses for the camera. (Photo courtesy: Kishalay Bhattacharjee)

Across these hills is Assam where the road will lead to. (Photo courtesy: Kishalay Bhattacharjee)