Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 25:
Peeved with what they termed as �partiality� on the part of an engineer team that showed up to measure breadth of the damaged Keishamthong bridge a large number of Keishamthong Kabui khul women folks prevented the construction officials from carrying out their assigned task at the worksite today.
Traffic from either end of keishamthong Bridge had been blocked for the last many months to prevent possible casualty due to dilapidated condition of the structure as well as to facilitate new construction at the same site.
Trouble began when a team of Engineers made spot inspection this morning and began measuring the breadth of the bridge, not from the middle point of the old structure but a few metres towards the Keishamthong Kabui Khul.
Having noticed �partiality� during the measurement disgruntled local women folk in large number trooped out from their houses and prevented further measurement exercise, contended secretary of Keishamthong Women�s Society Ahunpuiru.
Dissatisfied with the Engineer team�s response that the measurement work was being carried out in compliance with orders from �higher-ups� of the Government the women folks asked the team to leave the spot which was accordingly obliged by the officials to avoid ugly confrontation with the agitated residents.
Reflecting defiance to the said work, the secretary said �we cannot foil projects taken up by the Government but cannot stand a muted spectator when attempts are made to acquire our land without proper justification and reasoning�.
Under all circumstances measurement of the bridge�s breadth should begin from the middle point of the old structure, she asserted while threatening that failure to ensure transparency would constraint Keishamthong public to launch agitation with collaboration of NGOs like Zeliangrong union, Kabui Samiti, UNC etc.
maintaining that Government would be held responsible for any undesired consequences arising out of the issue, Achunpuiru said protest memorandum would be submitted to the Chief Minister, Works Minister and officials concerned to carry out the task in an orderly and transparent manner.