CSOs remind assurance given by works minister
Source: Chronicle News Service
Kangpokpi, April 29 2023:
People from more than 75 villages situated along the stretch of Imphal-Tamenglong (IT) road under four assembly constituencies have urged works minister Govindas Konthoujam to translate his assurance of improving the said road before the monsoons or face stir.
Various civil society organisations (CSOs) of the area including the Joint Monitoring Development Committee, Kuki Inpi Twilang Block, Kuki Students' Organisation Twilang Block, Twilang Area Kuki Chiefs' Association, Liang-mei Naga Council, Ahangruak Chief/Chairmen Association, Gorkha Students' Union and Gorkha Welfare Union Irang Unit along with various village chiefs and chairmen held a joint meeting at Poudel Basti (10 miles) on Saturday to deliberate on the assurance given by the works minister to the people of the area when he along with other ministers and MLAs visited the landslide-prone Lamlenkon near T Vaichong sub-divisional headquarters on May 22 last year.
After a threadbare discussion, the meeting resolved to urge the minister to keep his words before the monsoon season.
It also decided to resort to agitation in consultation with various district CSOs, if at least 35 km stretch of the state's oldest highway is not renovated as assured by the minister before the monsoon season.
Speaking to media persons, Joint Monitoring Development Committee & KSO Twilang Block president Enock Kip-gen said that as the monsoon season is arriving very soon, people fear that they will meet with the same fate being endured for the past many years.
The IT Road passes through Kangpokpi, Saitu, Tadubi and Tamei ACs with two MLAs holding ministerial posts.
However, the area seems to be a forgotten land, he lamented.
Enock also recalled that during the visit of the works minister, his cabinet colleagues, minister Nemcha Kipgen had acknowledged the importance of better road infrastructure for improving the quality of life, while minister Awangbow Newmai said IT road is an important lifeline of the people of Tamei, Tadubi and Kangpokpi ACs.
Awangbow had also assured that the MLAs will galvanise own resources towards maintaining the road until the road renovation work begins, he claimed.