Imphal: Residents from 20 villages in Imphal East shut down local roads to force the resumption of long-stalled construction work. The protest targeted the Napet Palli-Moirangpurel and Heirok roads. A public meeting of meira paibis at Oksu Ningthemcha Khul on September 25 sparked the action.
The blockade began at 5 am on October 1 and held until 5 am on October 2. The group included 10 villages from the Ching area and 10 from the Thang area. Sariya Leima Moirangthem, secretary of the joint meira paibi committee, noted the work sat idle for months without explanation. She warned, "The committee would launch stronger forms of agitation if the work was not restarted."
Construction must start again by October 3. The roads are a mess. Commuters now face a three-hour journey between Moirangpurel and Imphal. This trip previously took only one hour.
Committee joint secretary Premna Jajo said the delay hurts everyone. It creates massive problems for women hauling sick children to Imphal for medical care. The group urged any parties currently obstructing the build to stand down. They want the government to finish the job immediately.
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