IMPHAL, December 17: The Keirao Kendra Minority Muslim Development Organisation has demanded the repair of six suspension bridges within a week from today and has warned to launch agitation if the government fails to do so. MI Khan, the president of the organisation made the demand during a press meet at the Manipur Press Club this evening.
Asking whether the government has allocated funds in the budget for repairing and construction of bridges in Keirao, he enquired where the allocated fund has gone if allocated and demanded to know whether it has gone into the pocket of the local MLA.
Keirao Assembly Constituency has 25,000 voters and the Iril River runs through its middle, MI Khan said, adding there are six suspension bridges constructed between 1970 and 1995 which connect the villages in the assembly constituency.
Alleging that the bridges despite being in pitiable conditions haven`™t been repaired even after the local clubs and organisations have drawn the attention of concerned authorities several times, he said people have been facing difficulties for the last ten years in crossing these bridges.
`People have been crossing the bridges at their own risks as these bridges are the only routes which connect the entire assembly constituency. The wooden plates of the bridge are now damaged. Among the bridges, three have damaged iron bars. During marriages or other events, people now have to travel 7 km more to reach their destinations`, he said.
The organisation has stated that it has the ability to repair the bridges without the help of the government and will repair the bridges in a manner it deems fit if the government fails to repair it.
MI Khan has further appealed to the PWD and the government to repair the suspension bridges soon to prevent untoward incidents.
If the government does not take any initiatives, the inter village road which connects Keirao Kendra will also closed down as part of the agitations, he warned.
Md Amjad Khan, general secretary of the organisation, said that the local MLA is playing against the emotions of people of Keirao.