Manipur: National Highway-37 blockade temporarily suspended

IMPHAL — The people of Patsoi and Langjing area, who have been blocking the Imphal-Jiribam section of the National Highway-37 under the banner of Joint Action Co-ordinating Committee (JACC) for the third day, demanding immediate construction of road from New Keithelmanbi to Oriental College gate in Imphal West district, temporarily suspended the agitation on Friday.

The move came following an understanding reached with the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL).

However, people familiar with the matter said that the agitation will resume if the road construction is not completed within 20 days.

The NH-37 is one of the vital lifelines of Manipur and any disruption in the portion of the highway from New Keithelmanbi to Oriental College gate affects the people as many goods trucks, passenger vehicles and other private vehicles ply daily.

On Thursday, a team of JACC including women rushed to the Chief Minister’s office in Imphal to submit a memorandum demanding the construction of road along the stretch within 20 days from the date of submission of the memorandum.

Notably, the stretch of road between New Keithelmanbi to Oriental College gate (around 10km) is vital, as the National Highway-2, which connects Imphal with Dimapur is facing constant bandh and blockade due to the ongoing ethnic conflict.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister N Biren Singh chaired a meeting with the NHIDCL officials on Wednesday, to review the progress of highway expansion and construction projects taken up by the central construction agency in Manipur.

He also updated the same on social media after the review meeting.

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