IMPHAL, December 11: Indefinite band has been imposed along National Highway-150 A (Tongjei Marin) Old Cachar Road since December 6, 2013, jointly by Cachar Road Educational and Sporting Association (CRESA) and Zeliangrong Student’s Union Khoupum Area (ZSUKA) against the negligence in reconstruction of the dilapidated road.
People from Bishnupur area, Ngariyan, Chinikhong, Youyengtak, Thanakhong Tourembung and Khuopum has fully endorsed the bandh and no passenger or private vehicles have been allowed to pass through.
According to the Advisor CRESA S Ibohal, from November 12, 2012 the demand for repairing of the badly damaged Old Cachar Road was renewed and bandh imposed on the route. But on December 14, 2012, following a positive response from the state government, an MoU was signed between the Manipur Government and the agitators. The MoU was inked at the office chamber of Works Minister Dr Kh Ratankumar and was participated by local MLA and Commerce and Industry Minister Govindas Konhoujam. They assured the completion of the road in one year time and persuaded them to call off the band and blockade. Unfortunately the state government has not taken up any positive work on the renovation of the road.
The association on November 20, 2013 had reminded the government about the imposition of indefinite bandh along the route and had set a 15 day deadline.
Meanwhile, the CRESA has submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister O Ibobi on December 1, 2013 that the memorandum consisted of resolution adopted by a public meeting; the JAC of Old Cachar Road Band will imposed band from December 6 onward indefinitely, until and unless the government take up any positive action.
ZSUKA has strongly condemned the state government for neglecting the only life-line of Khuopum people. According to ZSUKA, for over 30 years the road has been in a very horrible condition. We got information that in the year 2012 the North East Council had sanctioned fund for the Old Cachar Road construction but till now there was no sign of work being taken up. However, the news certainly bring respite to weary people who have been deprived and suffered excessively due to bad road/ transportation for years.
ZSUKA said that this road is historical one but now has become unmotorable. The road is lying in a pitiable condition with the large potholes, puddles, mud, slush and worn out culverts throughout from zero point Bishempur till Rengpang. It covered an approximately distance of 68 kilometres. This road passed through the heart of the Khoupum Valley and passed more than 25 villages in Khoupum Sub-Division with a total population of more than 20,000.