IMPHAL, January 23: The Lilong bandh along the important National Highway 2 is unfortunate and an act of some looking for political gain by using the innocent public, claimed Agriculture minister Abdul Nasir today.
It is a clear case of the innocent public being misled by a few political masterminds he said adding that the demand for the widening of the road stretch from Lilong to Waithou has already been discussed with the Chief Minister.
He said the construction work of the road stretch has already been included in the work programme of Central government and will start by February or March this year.
Addressing media persons at his New Secretariat office chamber, he said the Chief Minister had himself put pressure on the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways on several counts to actualise the demand for widening of the important road, he said.
The Centre has also already approved the widening of the road and the e-tendering process is already underway and the work for the widening of the road stretch from Lilong to Ushoipokpi has been put at an estimated cost of Rs 8,71,69,000, he said.
It is really unfortunate that during such a period, some are looking for political gains by using the general public to create tension, he asserted.
Such people are only trying to make a political platform for themselves and have no feeling for any welfare for the people and should be considered anti-socials, he continued.
The minister further appealed to the people of Lilong against getting involved in the bandh.
The people need not take the unnecessary risk of getting involved in bandh and stand against the police, he said.
He further clarified that the delay was due to the pending of tender of the road portion from Canchipur to Lilong bridge but now it is completed and very soon work will be taken up in the area.