Source: The Sangai Express / S Singlianmang Guite
Lamka, January 18 2010:
One out of the four persons injured in the mishap that took place while they were travelling to join the Guite Road Black Day protest succumbed early today at JN Hospital.
Identified as Kamgouthianlal alias Lalboi Valte son of V Liankhanthang of Gangpimual, the deceased youth was one among several volunteers injured on the day.
The main organizer of the event, ZSF claiming that they had warned the Government that such undesirable incident could occur anytime along the road, the federation has submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister O Ibobi requesting him to extend ex-gratia to the next of kin of the deceased as well as compensation to other victims.
Meanwhile, a separate statement issued by the ZSF accused the Works Department of misleading the Chief Minister as well as exposing the fact that its reluctance to part with the unspent amount of Rs 50 crores.
Surprised over the alleged BRO's 'reluctant remarks' of the Chief Minister during the debate on the floor of the Assembly, the federation said that the true picture was revealed during the debate.
The Chief Minister was misled by the Works Department as he seems to be unaware of the Chief Engineer, Project Sewak, BRO HQ, New Delhi's order No 28008/GS/37/E2 Plg Dated 29-02-2009, in which the BRO has the intimated that the Government of India has approved to develop four strategic roads of the State including Tedim Road (CCpur-Singngat-Behian-52 kms) and Guite Road (Singngat-Sinzawl-Dialkhai-177 kms), it claimed.
In an order which was conveyed to the Government of Manipur under the topic 'Handing over of roads to BRO' the BRO has specifically mentioned, said the ZSF statement, they will develop Guite Road to Cl-9 enhance specification with its fund sourced to GS-Fund of the MoD.
The clauses that the works are to be undertaken immediately by BRO and that the Chief Secretary/State Government is to issue directions to the State PWD to hand over Guite Road so that BRO could take up the works immediately were included as well, it said.
The federation added, it feels the excuses of like lack of man power or security problems has become irrelevant with the BRO Hqs order for immediate execution of the work.