Blockades on two NHs cut off State from outside world
two goods trucks torched on Imphal-Jiri highway Sadar Hills blockade in force, total bandh threatened
Source: The Sangai Express

Kangpokpi, December 03 2015: The indefinite economic blockade called by civil society organizations of Sadar Hills along the Trans Asian Highway No.1 over the dilapidated condition of the road began yesterday midnight.

The CSOs of Sadar Hills comprising Kuki Inpi, Sadar Hills, KSO, Sadar Hills, TSA, Sadar Hills, KWU, Sadar Hills and other local civil bodies have been demanding immediate imple- mentation of the highway work order by the contractor and the department concerned.

The CSOs had on October 24 warned that they would resort to agitation if the pot holes dotting the highway are not repaired soon.

The Jiribam District Demand Committee has also been imposing an indefinite blockade along the Imphal-Jiribam highway since November 17 .

Suspected economic blockade supporters burnt down a loaded Imphal-bound truck to cinders at Leingangpokpi, Jiribam on NH-37 at around 7 pm today.

Another truck was also set ablaze at the same spot.

File pic of a vehicle manoeuvring its way through the potholed road on the highway

However, goods carrier vehicles are still plying on the highway with security escorts.

On the other hand, altogether about 700 Imphal-bound goods-laden trucks were stranded on Thursday along the two highways connecting Manipur due to the two indefinite economic blockade imposed by Jiribam District Demand Committee (JDDC) and Sadar Hills based civil societies pressing for their seperate demands, reports NNN.

Sources informed Newmai News Network about 600 goods-laden trucks being stranded at Leingangpokpi area of Imphal-Jiribam road (National Highway 37) while another 100 on different sections of Imphal-Dimapur road (NH-2) which is also known as Trans Asian Highway No.1 .

They said nearly 89 Imphal-bound loaded trucks were stranded at different points, including 37 in Kangpokpi area, along Imphal-Dimapur road section of Senapati district.

The student union of Mission Blind School, Heikakpokpi has also announced its decision to impose an indefinite bandh along Imphal-Moreh road from December 16 midnight, which will continue till December 21 to protest the State Government's failure to fulfil the demand for upgrading the school to a full-fledged institute.

Mission Blind School Students' Union informed this through a statement today.

The indefinite economic blockade imposed by CSOs Sadar Hills has stranded more than 40 loaded vehicles at Hengbung Taxation Check post.

No vehicular movement along the Trans Asian Highway No.1 was witnessed today.

Meanwhile, CSOs Sadar Hills spokesperson Lamcha Chongloi said that no gesture for negotiation on the part of State Government and the department concerned has been received till today even though the stir began yesterday midnight.

He continued that they have decided to enforce the ongoing blockade till their demand is implemented satisfactorily.

"We have also decided to impose total bandh in Sadar Hills if the work is not executed within one week during the ongoing blockade", Lamcha Chongloi said while adding that after imposing the total bandh they will give no room to the State Government and department concerned including the contractor to execute the work along the highway.

Lamcha further said that CSOs of Sadar Hills have also decided to file a suit against the contractor, if necessary.

The highway, Lamcha Chongloi said, is the main life line of the State and an important connectivity to the outside world and it is most important for the goods transporters among many others.

The ghastly conditions of such an important highway of the State perfectly indicate the hands-off attitude of the Manipur Government apart from the departments and contractors concerned , asserted the spokesperson.

The CSOs have also urged the transporters associations to respect the blockade and abstain from any act to violate the stir in view of the fact that they are the worst victims of the bad road condition.

CSOs Sadar Hills also urged the people of Sadar Hills to support the stir to give a face lift to the highway in the interest of all.