Imphal, March 31: Even as the Zeliangrong Students' Union (Tamei Area) and Kuki Students' Organisation (Sadar Hills) have imposed an indefinite economic blockade from midnight today to protest the failure of the State Govt to fulfil their demands by March 31, Chief Minister O Ibobi today said that the stand off is a result of the two student bodies trying to garner the contract works of the said road.

Talking to the president of All Zeliangrong Students Union (AMN) Ningthoudai Gonmei and chairman of Zeliangrong Students' Union, Manipur James Dangmei and other representatives of the two student bodies, the Chief Minister said that the ZSU (TA) and KSO (SH) had decreed that the contract works should be given to only three contractors chosen by them.

This is surprising and shocking, said the Chief Minister and appealed to the student leaders to look into the matter.

The IT road passes through hilly terrains and it would be impossible for three contractors to complete the work on time, said the CM.

To finish the work in good time, at least 10 contractors are needed, he explained and added that the involvement of the two local MLAs in choosing the right contractors is highly needed.

The two local contractors are Z Mangaibou and Francis Ngajokpa.

The stand of the ZSU (TA) and the KSO (SH) amounts to fighting for the contract works, he added.

The student representatives met the Chief Minister over the closure of all Govt offices in Tamenglong by the AZSU and ZSUM to protest the failure of the Govt to implement its earlier assurance to hand over the responsibility of constructing the 39 km stretch between Tamenglong and Khongshang to the BRO.

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