Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 31:
Tuilang Area Chiefs' Association, Tadubi A/C and IT Road Area Welfare Association, Sadar Hills have defended Education Minister Francis Ngajokpa from the onslaught of KSO Sadar Hills and ZSU Tamei Area which have charged the Minister with undue interference in the ongoing IT Road construction work and being anti-Kuki.
In a statement, chairman of the Chiefs' body Otpao Haokip asserted that Education Minister Francis Ngajokpa is the only one who has been pressing the Government for repairing and renovation of the IT Road for the last two years.
The Minister also consulted the people of the area on all developmental works without any discrimination.
Reacting to the charges of student bodies, the chiefs' body said it is nothing but baseless allegation to malign and tarnish the image of the Minister.
The people of IT Road are have confidence on the sincerity of Francis Ngajokpa, the statement said.
The Kuki people and organisations of the IT Road area do not consider him as anti-people nor is he against the improvement of IT Road, the statement said, adding that the student bodies should understand that the people of the area even hate to hear words like anti-Kuki or anti-Naga.
The decision of KSO Sadar Hills and ZSU Tamei Area that they would resume economic blockade on both NH 39 and 53 if the Government awards the contract work of the road to contractors not recommended by them is highly questionable, the chiefs' body said.
Similarly, in a joint statement IT Road Area Welfare Association chairman Thangsat Khongsai and general secretary Ch Phenry said the charges levelled against the Minister by the two student bodies without any proof was very unfortunate.