Zeliangrong students for calling off road stir
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, December 13, 2012: The newly revived Zeliangrong Students Union Khoupum Area (ZSUKA) has urged the concerned authority especially the state government of Manipur to look into deplorable condition of the Imphal-Cachar road, also known as the Old Cachar Road.

The ZSUKA then appealed the Cachar Road Educational and Sporting Association (CRESA) to call off its agitation along the road taking into consideration the forthcoming Christmas.

CRESA has been imposing blockade along the road demanding the government to repair the road.

"The historical Imphal-Cachar road which is-popularly known as the Old Cachar Road (Tongjei Maril) is severely ravaged and cries for attention for years together/'said ZSUKA.

The road is lying in a pitiable condition with large potholes, puddles and worn culverts throughout from zero point till Rengpang, the ZSUKA pointed out.

The bad road condition faced by the drivers ascribed to the dreadful state of the road which resulted in unreasonable fares hike, price-rise for the movement of villagers who require medical care.

The villagers often call the epithel of 'disco-route' to this road as the passengers in the vehicles are thrown all about due to bumpy travelling.

"The road was not repaired once till today after it was black topped way back in 1968.It is an unbelievable fact that this road passes through the native village (Khoupum Gaidimjang) of one of the most influential politicians of Manipur, deputy chief minister Gaikhangam who also holds the portfolio of Home and Tribal Affairs and Hills; said the ZSUKA.

Notably, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh while addressing a public gathering at Imphal on December 3,2011 declared that the Centre had agreed in principle to take up Old Cachar Road.

It was a reassertion of the statement made on December 2, 2006, the Zeliangriong students' body pointed out.

The Prime Minister of India's declaration brought respite to weary people but it is yet to be translated into a reality, said the ZSUKA.

The deprived villagers are left with no other option but to block the traffic due to failure of the government to respond positively.

The vehicular movement has been halted in the last few days under the intiative of Cachar Road Educational and Sporting Association (CRESA) with support from Chiningkon, Ngarian and other villages residing along the road, stated the ZSUKA.

The far-flung neglected villagers are facing much difficulty as there is no other route to reach the nearby towns to procure their essential commodities.

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