Imphal, February 22: The proposed indefinite economic blockade along National Highway 39 and NH-53 called by the IT Road Development Committee and supported by Kuki Students Organisation, Sadar Hills and Zeliangrong Students Union, Tamei Area, has been called-off following an agreement reached between the bodies and the State Government during a two hour long meeting held at the Chief Minister's office this evening.

According to the agreement the works along the IT Road will start from tomorrow onwards and black topping will begin from this month itself.

The Chief Minister has assured the striking representatives that black topping along the IT Road will be completed within two and a half months time i.e.by April this year, according to the representatives of the agitating bodies.

The proposed indefinite economic blockade was supposed to begin from the midnight of February-24 in protest against the prolonged negligence meted out to the people along the IT Road.

Heingang Assembly Constituency MLA N Biren Singh was instrumental in bringing the striking leaders of IT Road Development Committee, KSO of Sadar Hills and Zeliangrong Students Union leaders of Tamei Area to the negotiating table.

Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, Works Minister Th Debendra, TD Minister Phungzathang Tonsing, MLA Manga Vaiphai, Heingang A/C MLA N Biren, MLA Alla-Uddin, Chief Secretary Jarnail Singh, the Superintendent Engineer-1 (PWD), the Finance Commissioner and the Additional Chief Secretary represented the Government side while IT Road Development Committee (ITRDC) chairman Wilubou Newmai, ITRDC secretary Seikhokai Kipgen, ITRDC joint secretary Thanglenlal Doungel, Kuki Students Organisation of Sardar Hills secretary general Lamkholun Doungel and Zeliangrong Students Union of Tamei Area N Lung-phakbou represented the agitating bodies side.

ITRDC chairman Wilubou Newmai and its secretary Seikhokai Kipgen warned that if the State Government does not fulfil its assurance then they would resort to the strongest term of agitation to which they would not agree for any negotiation.

IT Road is one important lifeline for the people living in the Tamei Sub-division and also the people of the Sardar Hills and Tadubi A/C who are living along the Irang River basin.

Every year numerous accidents have been occurring claiming many lives.

During rainy season foodstuff and medicines and other essential commodities run out of stocks due to landslides.

Since the attainment of statehood, the people of Tamei subdivision and people confining along the IT Road such as Chalwa, Gelnal, Chalwa, Thonglang and numerous other villages had come down decades after decades facing hardship due to bad transport and communication.

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