Imphal, May 15: The agitation launched by Moirang Keithel vendors demanding construction of market shed has been called off from mid-afternoon today following an agreement between the State Government representative and Moirang public.

The Government was represented by Public Development Authority (PDA) Chairman K Ranjit who conveyed of the Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh's keen desire to complete the construction without further delay.

The agitated Moirang public who came to attend the meeting were informed by the PDA Chairman of the Centre likely to release second installment of Rs 40 lakh soon.

In case of delay of the second phase release some amount would be allocated from the 2005-06 Mahud budget to complete construction of Awun Keithel.

Sending message to the Moirang public that the SPF Government do not discriminate the people based on rural-urban segregation, Ranjit pointed to the expeditious completion of a section of the market shed with the first phase allocation of Rs 40 lakh in 2003 under the Integrated Development Small & Medium Town Programme conceived by the Centre.

The State Government has already submitted the utilisation certificate of the first phase allocation, said the Chairman who also contended of having intimated to the Chief Minister to take all possible measures so as to facilitate early construction of the remaining section.

Besides constructing temporary market sheds in order to begin construction activities at the historic Awun Keithel, renovation works would be undertaken to retain originality of remaining structures, Ranjit maintained.

Moirang AC MLA S Gopal Singh echoing the Moirang public sentiment advocated peaceful means to pursue any purposeful demand and assured his personal contribution in the construction matter.

The market vendors demanded appointment of a market construction caretaker, construct toilet and other sanitation systems, build a godown etc to which the Chairman endorsed resulting in the Moirang public calling off the agitation.

The market vendors abandoning their daily chores had been on sit in protest for the last many days to pursue their demand while alleging State Government of negligence in mitigating their problems.

Earlier, during the meeting deliberation, secretary of Moirang Keithel Ima Lup referring to the historical significance of the Moirang Keithel recalled that after Khwairamband keithel the former is the second oldest in the State having been constructed in 1952.Alleging discriminatory attitude towards the Moirang public, she said the people seldom pursues violent means to make their voices heard but callousness of the Govt had snapped tolerance limit of the people.

Failure to implement the assurances without further delay would constrain Moirang public resort to various forms of agitation, she cautioned.

On the other hand, representatives of United Voluntary Organisation, Bishnupur flayed the State Govt on lack of initiative to develop Moirang keithel highlighting that the site is frequented by tourists, including foreigners whenever they arrive in Manipur.


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