Imphal, July 05: Giving a boost to the morale of the Lei-Ingkhol residents who have been opposing the decision of the Government to evict them for construction of the proposed Capitol project, activists of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Manipur Pradesh today took part in the hunger relay strike being launched since June 18.Speaking to mediapersons, spokesman of the party, L Radhakanta, who also took part in the protest demonstration, observed that Lei-Ingkhol is a place which gives shelter to lepers who have been ostracised by the society since 1947.But now there are 75 households and around 424 people belonging to different communities like Meitei, Tangkhul, Monsang, Nepali, Rongmei, Zou, Bengali and Bihari have made their home.

The decision of the SPF Government to evict these unfortunate people for constructing the proposed Capitol project is undemocratic and condemnable, he said, while demanding the Government to review its decision of including Lei-Ingkhol from the purview of the site for the Capitol project.

He further said that demolition of the Cold Storage at Lei-Ingkhol, which was constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 2.5 crores to pave way for construction of the Capitol project would also convince the people that the present Government has no concerned not only for the plight of the local residents, but also for the welfare of the people of Manipur in general.

Destruction of the cold storage which had been constructed spending a huge amount of money even as the financial condition of the State is not sound would not be the step to be taken up a Government which has a future vision, he observed.

Radhakanta further informed that his party would be sending the copies of the memorandum highlighting the issue of Lei-Ingkhol and plight of the local residents to Prime Minister, All India Congress Committee president Sonia Gandhi, NCP president, State Chief Minister, Governor, MLAs and Ministers concerned by tomorrow.

On the indefinite economic blockade being called along the NHs, party spokesman said if the agitation is only for two-three days, then the people would be able to bear it.

But an indefinite one would be beyond the endurence of the people.

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