Ukhrul, September 23, 2009: Picketing of offices of the electricity department in Ukhrul commenced from today.

The agitating Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong (TKS) and Raphei Katamnao Sak long (RKS) have warned of suspension all activities related with the office until a viable and positive response coming up from the SDF government.

The two bodies are demanding commission of the 33/11 KVA sub-station at Namrei constructed under NLCPR 2005 which the construction had already completed at the beginning of current year 2009. Meanwhile, when this correspondent today i spected the power sub-station located 15 km from Ukhrul district headquarters witnessed the woeful state of the recently completed sub-station.

The room for keeping machines is like a mere kitchen.

Only a chawkidar was found attending the office at the sub-station.

Student volunteers of TKS and RKS visited the sub-station and other electricity offices have also locked down three offices of the department and stuck posters "Indefinitely sealed" and locked at the doors, wall and gates of the offices.

They said the stir will continue until an amicable solution is brought about on the demand of the bodies for sake of the people welfare.

In a statement issued by the TKS signed by Tamnsing Vashum stated that non response of SPF government to the demands and problems of the common hill people has compelled the TKS and RKL to take the step of picketing the offices of the electricity department in Ukhrul.

All the activities of electricity department should remain closed until a viable and positive response emerges from the SPF government, it stated warning that delayed in commissioning of the sub-station would compelled the bodies to intensify its course of agitation to a greater level.

"Any untoward, though not intended, incident if arise the authority in power would be held responsible.

The electricity office of Ukhrul, though are not the responsible and competent authority has to bear the ire of the peoples," it stated.

People in the northern' parts of Ukhrul district has been reeling under darkness for the past ten years.

The commissioning of the sub-station which has been completed long back would have been one great development for the region in terms of public utility service.

The employees from the areas has to furnish every month bill on the basis of "no due certificate-no pay".

Despite various representation made to the authority, the non-response is an indication of SPF government's attitude to the welfare of hill peoples.

The student body has even started poster agitation since September 19 to bring the plight of the people to the attention of the authorities and also submitted a memorandum to the chief minister for immediate intervention and redress.

However, all this toils of process valuing the sincerity of SPF government has turned into deaf ear, the statement condemned.

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