Imphal, August 28: With talks between the Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh and representatives of Zeliangrong Students' Union, Manipur (ZSUM) in connection with the latter's demands remaining inconclusive yet again, the agitating student body has announced its decision of taking recourse to various intense agitations against the Government.

The fifth round of talks held at the Chief Minister's office today lasted for one and half hour from 3 pm to 4.3 pm.

During the talks, ZSUM delegates reiterated their demand for handing over the task of construction of the Tousem-Haflong Road, New Keiphundai-Tousem Road and ImphalTamenglong Road via Kangpokpi and Tamei to BRO/BRTF.

However, the Chief Minister maintained that the task should be taken up by the PWD in view of lack of manpower of BRO.

To this, the student leaders pointed to the issue of alleged 45 percent unseen deduction in the work of PWD.

When the Chief Minister asserted that it is an issue that should be dealt by the Government, the student leaders demanded a written assurance from the Government in this regard.

An infuriated CM got up from his seat and the talks broke down.

Besides, Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh ,Works Minister K Ranjit Singh, TD Minister DD Thaisii were present.

Chief Secretary Jarnail Singh, Works Commission, SE of PWD Tamenglong attended the meeting from the side of the Government, while the 14-member delegation of ZSUM was led by its chairman GH Newmee.

Talking to mediapersons in connection with the failed talks later in the evening, ZSUM secretary Majabung Gangmei announced that since that Government is not ready to consider the demands even after fifth rounds of talks, ZSUM would step up its agitation.

He recalled that the first round of talks in connection with the demands of the student body was held on May 25 this year and an agreement was signed.

But as the Government failed to implement the agreement, ZSUM rejected it on August 2 and began picketing offices of Tamenglong DC, ZEO and PWD from the following day.

Inspite of that no response was received from the side of the Government, thus compelling the student body to close down all the Government offices in Tamenglong since August 13.After this, an indefinite bandh had been called on the National Highway 53 since August 20 midnight.

But at the invitation of the Government, a joint meeting was held with the High Powered Committee of the Government to discuss the demands for the third time on August 23.Subsequently, ZSUM agreed to call off its bandh.

Again on August 26, a meeting was also held with Works Minister K Ranjit at his office chamber wherein it was decided to hold a joint meeting along with the Chief Minister today, he said.

Majabung made it clear that the ongoing agitation of picketing the Government offices would continue until a final settlement on the demands of the student body has been arrived at.

The other points in the charter of demands of the students body which could not be taken up for discussion during the meeting today due to sudden break down of talks include early completion of the Tamei-Tenning Road work, construction of bridge over Barak river, improvement of all the important roads in Tamenglong district, early completion of the 33/11 KV Power Sub-Station in Tousem Sub-division, implementation of the Loktak Downstream Project and generating more job opportunities for the backward people of Temenglong district.

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