Imphal, May 09 2009: State works minister, K Ranjit today assured that the improvement works of the 3.55 km stretch road connecting Hiyanglum hiranmei to Arong Nongmaikhong will continue and complete within a short time by any means even though underground forced to stop the work.

The work minister gave the assurance to the villagers carrying out sit-in protest against the stoppage of the road improvement around a month back after an underground group imposed ban on the working.

Circle MLA, E Dwijamani also accompanied in the work minister's visit.

The improvement works of the road started with SPA fund amounting to Rs 1.99 crore under work programme of the 2008-09 but the works remained suspended when a particular underground group gave interference in the work.

Against the underground interference, villagers of the Arong Khunou, Hiyanglum Hiranmei and Lai Pangal have been carrying out sit-in protest since April 30 last.

Yesterday also a torch rally was carried out by the womenfolk of the villages.

On reaching information of enable to continue the road improvement works to the state chief minister who instructed the minister concern to look into the matter, works minister K Ranjit visited the place and met with the protesting villagers today.

During interaction with the work minister, womenfolk complained that the road is to be the life line of the villagers once improvement work is over.

After the circle MLA gave strong pressure, the improvement works has been included in the work programme 2008-09 of the PWD.

Ranjit commented that as the road would be an important one for the villagers and having such a road is a long cherish dream of the villagers, he never think of giving interference by the undergrounds even in his dream.

He also appealed the underground group not to give interference in taking up welfare works of the people.

People protest against giving interference to developmental works has its internal meaning.

Despite strong interference from the undergrounds, government will try its best to re-commence the work at the earliest he assured urging support from the people in overcoming the hurdles.

MLA, E Dwijamani who also took part in the minister's visit said even though the road is a short one, it would be the lifeline of the villagers of the Arong Khunou, Hiyanglum Hiranmei, Nongmaikhong, Tera and once the improvement work is over.

It will also shorten around one hour journey of the people going through the road to Sekmaijin to 15 minutes, he observed.

According to the protestors, the particular underground organization is strongly banning in taking up the improvement work.

Villagers could not agree with the stand of the underground as the road will give immense benefits to the people in the future too.

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