Imphal, July 06 2010: The United Committee Manipur today urged the All Zeliangrong Students' Union calling 48-hour bandh on NH-53, to reconsider their proposed agitation taking into account the hardship facing by the people of the state.

Mention may made that AZSU has announced imposition of 48-hour bandh on the NH-53 commencing from midnight of July 9 demanding review to the government decision of taking over the charge of maintenance of NH-53 from BRO and handover to state PWD.

UCM in a statement dispatched today signed by its Information and Public Relation Secretary, Kh Nilamani observed that the bandh was to impose while people are to get relief from the hardship facing by the people due to recently lifted prolonged economic blockade on the National Highways.

Considering the present hardship which people are not getting their essential commodities as a result of 68 day long economic blockade, it will be a wise decision to reconsider and review the decision of calling bandh on the NH-53, the statement suggested observing that state government is also not seen taking up any measures to solve the artificial scarcity of goods.

Policy and progamme of an organisation is usually targeted to the welfare of the people, UCM assumed, the statement said but the committee could not agreed with the policy or programme which would repeatedly throw people into the pool of woe.

UCM had taken decision not to use the NH-39 which passes through the NH-39 many times with clear cut reasons.

Transporters and drivers had also taken the same decision when they could not bear atrocities meted out to them while taking the route except some vested interest transporters and drivers violet and take the route secretly.

In the public discussion held recently at State Guest House also, a resolution not to take the NH-39 was reaffirmed like several other civil organisations had taken and make the NH-53 a lifeline of the state.

Taking the decision to impose bandh on the NH-53 in protest against government decision of taking out the charge of maintenance of the highway from BRO by the AZSU is an unfortunate decision and against the wishes of the people, UCM observed in the statement.

On the other hand, state government should also try to bring an amicable solution with the protesting body.

It will not be fear step remain waiting for issue of warrants to the agitators by court and detained them under NSA.

Instead of this, government should effort for bringing the agitating body to the negotiating table and repairing works of the NH-53 should be taken up on war footing, the statement demanded.

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