Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Imphal, April 01:
The indefinite economic blockade along National Highway-39 and 53 imposed by Zeliangrong Students' Union of Tamei Area and Kuki Students' Organisation, Sadar Hills since last night is going to be intensified, according to the two student bodies.
The student organisations have been demanding that agreement reached between State Government and the two organisations be fulfilled with regard to the IT Road repairing including black topping.
They also asked Ch Phenry, Otpao Haokip and Thangsat Khongsai to surrender to the student bodies immediately failing which volunteers would be constrained pick them up .
In another joint statement issued to the press, the bodies iterated that decision to launch the agitation was already announced during a media briefing at MBC campus as the State authorities have been repeatedly declining to oblige their demand.
Prior to the agitation decision a meeting with representatives of AZSU (AM&N), KSO (GHQs) and ANSAM as observers was also held at Kangpokpi, it recalled while cautioning transporters (truckers) to cooperate with the student bodies during the blockade period in the interest of development.
On the otherhand, Zeliangrong Students Union, Manipur (ZSUM) has endorsed the steps taken of ZSU, Tamei Area and KSO, Sadar Hills with regard to the IT Road movement.
ZSUM chairman James Dangmei said that its volunteers would be mobilised along the NHs in imposing the indefinite economic blockade.
With regard to Tuilang Area Chiefs Association whose chairman is Otpao Haokip and IT Road Area Welfare Association with Thangsat Khongsai as chairman and its general secretary Ch.
Phenry, the ZSU and KSO said that there is no such chiefs association nor IT Road Area Welfare Association.
The bodies warning the trio of dire consequences asked them to surrender at the earliest.
The bodies stated that Tuilang Area Chiefs Association was abolished by Kuki Inpi and KSO sometimes back.
With regard to the IT Road Area Welfare Assn, they maintained that there are many associations related to IT Road but all are defunct.
"Recently the ZSU and KSO formed the students' wing-committee christened IT Road Development Committee to check IT Road condition and to bring peace between Kukis and Nagas by promoting development," stated the two student bodies adding that IT Road Area Welfare Association had been formed under the roof of a cabinet minister's bungalow.
"ZSU and KSO are already recognised and mandated bodies and who is there to challenge when we are forming our own committees within our framework", contended the two bodies.
"Each student body has their own information and publicity committee, public grievances cell, and different other committees for the working convenience of any student body and so likewise IT Road Development Committee is one such committee jointly formed by KSO, Sadar Hills and ZSU, Tamei Area so as to give more impetus for communal harmony between the two communities through development", explained the two bodies and reiterated warning to Otpao Haokip, Ch.
Phenry and Thangsat Khongsai to surrender immediately for challenging the ZSU and KSO.
The student bodies strongly condemned the statement of Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh that the student bodies were demanding contract works.
The bodies stated that they are not after contact works but their only concern concerns development of IT Road which had been neglected for many years.