KCA, Tengnoupal rejects blockade call
Source: The Sangai Express
Tengnoupal, November 03 2022:
The indefinite economic blockade from today midnight called by the All Manipur Tribal Development Grievances Forum (AMTDGF) will not affect traffic on Imphal-Moreh road, said Kuki Chief Association, Tengnoupal district.
The economic blockade will not be imposed on the Imphal-Moreh road, said Kuki Chief Association (KCA), Tengnoupal district president LS Seikhojang Baite.
It may be noted that the All Manipur Tribals Development Grievances Forum (AMTDGF) had called the indefinite economic blockade on National Highway 2 and 37 from midnight of November 3 denouncing Government's "failure" to release Rs 756 crore MGNREGS fund sanctioned by the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India.
Notably, the decision of the KCA not to endorse AMTDGF's economic blockade is a U-turn of its earlier stand.
The KCA Tengnoupal district had earlier decided to impose the blockade on Imphal-Moreh road, however it changed its decision after meeting Tribal Affairs Minister Letpao Haokip this afternoon.
During a press conference held at the Hill Tribal Council (HTC) complex today afternoon, KCA Tengnoupal district president Seikhojang Baite said the association has reached an agreement with the Minister and has decided to call off the proposed blockade in its area (Imphal-Moreh road) .
Seikhojang Baite said, the proposed blockade was called off as Letpao Haokip, besides releasing honorarium for 5 days to job card holders, has further assured to release the honorarium on time in future.
Further, several civil society organisations and village authorities in Noney and Tamenglong district have said that they do not endorse the indefinite blockade called by the All Manipur Tribal Development Grievances Forum (AMTDGF) .
The CSOs and village authorities include, Khoupum Area Villages Authority Council (KAVAC), Nungba Area Villages Authority Association (NAVAA), Khoupum Village Authority, Kaiphundai Village Authority and Khunbu Chief Longmai Village.
In a joint statement, they said there will be no blockade in the areas under their jurisdiction.
They do not endorse the indefinite economic blockade called by AMTDGF as there was no proper consultation with them, they said informing the public, trucks and transporters associations and CSOs that there will be no blockade in areas under their jurisdiction.
Any untoward incident that happens will be the responsibility of the AMTDGF, they said.
They also advised the AMTDGF not to create any problems along the National Highway No 37 (Jiribam-Imphal) .
It may be noted that the Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department had yesterday clarified that the MGNREGS (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme) funds sanctioned will be released in full in due course.
The Department had said that the funds sanctioned is meant for all districts and of the Rs 756.50 crore sanctioned, it has released Rs 100 crore.
It had said the department is releasing an additional Rs 150 crore 'soon' and the remaining will be released in due course of time.
The Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Department had also said that allegations of misappropriation of the funds levelled against it and the Government are false and baseless.