PM apprised
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Imphal, June 15 2014:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been urged by Naga People's Front (NPF), Nungba unit of Tamenglong district to investigate the protracted incompletion of the Old Cachar Road (National Highway 37-A) from Bishnupur to Rengpang via Khoupum valley in Tamenglong district, Manipur by a Central investigation agency such as CBI, SIT, etc, reports NNN.
In a memorandum, the NPF, Nungba unit said the historic Old Cachar Road was inaugurated as the strategic road in 1904 by Lord Curzon, the then Governor General of British India.
It was connected with Cachar district of Assam and the British troops were transported through this road to Manipur.
It was one of the busiest road during those days.
Unfortunately, this historic road has become the most neglected road in the state of Manipur, it added.
"No doubt government of India had sanctioned many centrally sponsored schemes in this road in terms of crores of rupees for the 42 years after Manipur became full fledged state in the year 1972 .
Manipur Government and the department of works have been making this road as a money minting project for quite a long time contractors, government officials with the people representatives have got rich from their shares in contract works on this road", the memorandum mentioned.
"It is also learnt from reliable sources that several sanctions have been made to black-top this road which is a hundred km long stretch from Bishnupur to Rengpang and till date not even a stretch of kilometer has been black-top so far.
"Where have all those funds or money were spent? Where have those funds were diverted? Despite cores of rupees being sanctioned for the last 42 years why Old Cachar Road remains the most neglected road in the State?," the NPF, Nungba unit questioned.
According to the NPF, Nungba unit memorandum, there are more than 30 villages on both sides of the road living without getting comforts and deprives of all modern amenities as enjoyed by their counterparts citizen in the other parts of the State and the country.
Poor and aggrieved people living in remote areas have been compelling to travel on this muddy and bumpy road during rainy season.
They again travel on storm of dust in the dry season which effected the public health to a great extend.
Many have also died due to disease and frequent road incident on account of the pathetic condition of the road.
Poor public of this areas have been forced to live in such horrified situation due to the step-motherly treatment meted out to them by the State government, the memorandum alleged.
Sometimes, para military forces and army used to bring bull dozers and clear landslides etc.
whenever they visit this area once in a blue moon, it stated.
"Therefore, we demand immediate investigation into the malpractises of the government of Manipur and department concerned for swindling crores of public money for the development of the said road by Central investigation agency like CBI,SIT etc.
to deliver justice to the aggrieved people of the area.
And those found guilty of swindling public money must be brought to brought to book at the earliest," added the statement.
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