Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, September 02 2010:
Manipur Works Minister K Ranjit today inaugurated a new bridge constructed by the Public Works Department, Government of Manipur over the Sekmai river connecting Kakching Khullen Turel Wangma and Laithagol Leikai at Kakching in Thoubal district.
Construction of the bridge at the cost of 215.66 lakh had started in March 2008 .
Works Minister K Ranjit was the chief guest at the solemn inaugural function.
MLA of Kakching A/C Y Surchandra presided while MLAs M Hemanta and M Oken attended the function as guests of honour.
Speaking on the occasion, Works Minister Ranjit told the gathering that the SPF government under the leadership of O Ibobi has been taking up a lot of developmental programmes with the cooperation of the public.
Since the population of the state has been increasing day by day, people have been facing inconveniences in communication.
Ranjit said that some people who do not know the developmental schemes being taken up by the government have been spreading allegations that while the government can not improve the Wahengbam Leikai road located in the zero mile areas, how can the government improve the National Highways.
In fact, in the government's efforts to widen the stretch of the road, it has taken more than two years in acquiring land under the Land Acquisition Act, and paying compensation for the buildings, land, ponds, trees, etc.
He said, although the government has paid the necessary compensations, it is not just right to kick out the families and demolish all the buildings.
Therefore the government had issued notice through the DC concerned to give the land owners time for about 5/6 months during which they themselves would have to shift and demolish the buildings.
Even though the government has repeatedly informed the land owners, some of the families have not shifted and demolished the buildings.
Since the government could not remain watching silently, the Works Departmen has started demolishing the buildings from today by using JCBs and Dippers, he Ranjit said.
The Works Minister further announced that demolition of the buildings from the head of Wahengbam Leikai upto Keishampat bridge would be completed within two or three days.
He appealed to those who have already been paid compensations for their buildings upto Ningthemcha Karong to demolish the buildings on their own, if not Works Department will use JCBs to demolish the buildings.
"Those families whose houses had been demolished might be angry with us and would have wanted to attack us," Ranjit said adding "but please consider it a necessary action for the betterment of the people and state in future" .