Keys snatched, PMGSY work halted
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 19 2015: Road construction work between Litan and Sikibung being executed under PMGSY has been brought to a grinding halt after some miscreants suspected to be cadres of KNA snatched away keys of some earth movers engaged in the same work.

The mischief came to light when Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Francis Ngajokpa went to inspect the road construction work together with MSRRDA Chief Engineer N Bapuchand, Additional CE Th Shyamsunder and some other officials.

Talking to the accompanying media persons Sikibung headman Wungreikhan Kasar said that the earth movers were digging earth at Sisilok mid way between Litan and Sikibung when some suspected KNA cadres snatched away keys of the earth movers on February 6 .

RD and PR Minister Francis inspecting the road

Two bull dozers and one excavator were pressed into service by the contactor.

After the keys were snatched away in connection with a monetary demand, the contractor has pulled back all the machinery bringing the road construction work to a grinding halt, Wungreikhan Kasar said.

Commenting on the incident, Francis Ngajokpa remarked that such disruptive activities against development programmes were quite unfortunate.

The Home Department shall take up necessary measures to prevent such disruptive activities.

Had there been no disruption, the road construction work could have been completed by now, Francis Ngajokpa stated.

There is an Assam Rifles post near the spot from where the keys of the earth movers were snatched apart from a Pastor Retreat Centre.

It has been learnt that after snatching the keys, negotiations were carried out at Imphal to thrash out a solution.

While appealing to all UG groups to refrain from such disruptive activities, Francis Ngajokpa exhorted the villagers to fight back all kinds of disruptive activities valiantly.

At the advice of the Chief Minister, most of the works listed in the PMGSY Phase IX and X are being implemented in the hill districts.

In fact, 80 per cent of the works sanctioned by the Government of India for phase IX and X are concentrated in the hill districts.

Stating that he had inspected PMGSY works in both valley and hill districts during the current month, Francis Ngajokpa remarked that the PMGSY works implemented in the valley districts were found up to the mark but in the hill districts, it did not meet the expectation.

One major problem in the hill districts is persistent complaints about negligence by the State Government but when Government officials go to carry out development programmes, all kinds of disruptive activities and objections would derail the development initiative.

Abduction of labourers, snatching of keys and setting afire machinery have led to unnecessary delays in completing PMGSY works in hill districts, Francis Ngajokpa lamented.

Some villages have been demanding construction of roads in hill districts while they were not ready to give any land to the Government.

Under such absurd conditions, the Government is totally helpless as PMGSY funds should be utilized within a stipulated period.

PMGSY has no component of compensation for land acquisition, Francis Ngajokpa added.

The team led by the RD&PR Minister also inspected the 5.35 Km long road from Gwaltabi to Thawai as well as Zalenbung-Lamlai Chingphei section of NH 150 .