Imphal, March 29: Strongly condemning the alleged interference of Education Minister Francis Ngajokpa in the IT road development process, the Kuki Students' Organisation, Sadar Hills and the Zeliangrong Students' Union, Tamei today demanded that Francis should be dropped from the Council of Ministers.

Addressing newsmen at MBC today, student leaders of the two bodies said that though Chief Minister O Ibobi had categorically stated that there was enough fund to develop and black top the IT road, Francis Ngajokpa had stated there was no fund for the said project.

The ZSU and KSO will be constrained to go ahead with an indefinite economic blockade from March 31 midnight if the earlier agreement reached with the CM is not implemented, they warned.

The student bodies said that the Chief Minister had made it clear that there was enough fund and it was agreed in an earlier meeting that the required fund for constructing the said road would be sanctioned.

However Francis openly stated in front of the CM that there is no fund for the road construction, charged the two student bodies and added that this remark is anti-Kuki as well as anti-Naga.

Though the two student bodies are happy with the concern shown by the Chief Minister to develop the road and look after the needs of Tamenglong, the stance of Ngajokpa is intolerable, said the student leaders and demanded that he should be dropped from the Council of Ministers.

As per the agreement between the two student bodies and the Government the process of renovating the said road stretch had started but due to the interference of Francis, the Letter of Intent for the work is yet to be issued till today, charged the student leaders.

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