IMPHA, January 28: A silent peace rally was organized jointly by the Kuki Inpi, Saikul, Women Union, Saikul and the Saikul Hill Town Committee demanded for black topping of a 26 km long stretch of the interstate road from Liklikhong to Molkon Bridge today. The silent rally started from Thangthong Higher Secondary School Ground, Thangkanphai and marched towards the SDO office, Saikul passing through Saikul bazaar and other main roads of the surrounding area. Participants of the rally today held banners and placards asking, ” Don’t we deserve better road condition?” ; “We want assurance for justice to the people on Saikul road,” ; ” Government should not discriminate in development programs”. A Joint memorandum was also handed to the state Chief Minister through the SDO Saikul, D K Thangboi.
Before the silent peace rally started, people started gathering at the Thangthong Higher Secondary Ground from the early morning hours. Later, Thongjalun Mate President of the Kuki Student Organization, Saikhul block addressed the public gathering. Thongjalun Mate said, “It been more than 40 years since Saikul has been declared as a block but the people of the area continue to face the problem of the worst road condition in the state.” He further added that the hope and expectation of the people of Saikul that their area would be developed has not been realized as the Government has not taken any initiative so far regarding improving the condition of the roads.
Further, Thangkam Lupheng President of the Kuki Inpi, Saikul block supplemented that the state government has been neglecting the sentiments of the people in the area. He further said that the Imphal-Saikul road is one of the most important road of the area in the day to day communication and transport as the road is used by the peoples of four assembly constituencies – Khundrakpam, Saikhul ,Karong and including Ukhrul.
“The people of Saikul area have to suffer a lot due to the bad road connectivity as in summer time it is full of dust while mud and slush makes movement on the road it dangerous even,” said Thangkam Lupheng.
Adding further that it was a welcome change to see the work program taken up by the state government for widening of the Imphal- Saikul road, he also appealed to the state government to take up appropriate action for black topping of the said road from Liklikhong to Molkon bridge during the current year 2013 by allotting adequate fund in the interest of the suffering people of the area. He further added that if the government failed to their demands, then joint agitations will be taken up and intensified against the government until the condition of the roads are not improved.