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Help
the BRTF in building NH 53
Dear Sir,
Recently, the Commanders of 25 and 36 Bns BRTF had
expressed through the local media that suspension of works
for National Highway 53 was due to the activities
(extortion, killing of BRTF personnel and destruction of
machineries etc.) of the insurgent groups though there is
some ambiguity in outlining the militant groups concerned.
It is very difficult to contemplate that the valley based
militants, specially the Meitei insurgents, may like to
cut their own throats by harming the BRTF personnel whose
sole interest is the development and welfare of NH 53
which is probably the ultimate lifeline of the Manipuris.
Every citizen of the State firmly believes and prays that
the Meetei insurgents must give full assistance and
security to the BRTF. There is also some propriety in
blaming the NSCN for the hindrances in NH 53
constructions. NSCN and its sympathizers have put a
blockade on NH 53 and allegedly destroyed some bridges as
a protest against the review of the Bangkok agreement.
NSCN is also involved in the frequent looting and
extortion of the passenger buses and goods vehicles plying
on this road. The Meetei insurgent groups must use every
means, in public interest, to sanitize the NH 53 from this
harmful group of people infesting on this lifeline like
parasites at the earliest.
On the other hand, it is very encouraging that a State
Level Committee has been set up for the development of NH
53. However, the notion of building this 222 Km Highway by
collecting public money through a Trust is next to reality
in this poverty stricken State. Besides this, the BRTF has
discreetly stated that there is no scarcity of funds for
this Highway. What it lacks is the people’s cooperation
and participation; and the BRTF is seeking for both for a
speedy completion of the NH 53 construction. Instead of
forming a Trust, the Committee, in public interest, may
better remain as a pressure-body monitoring and enhancing
the BRTF activities as well as containing any anti social
elements for smooth progress of works. It is undesirable
to waste any more time in exploring the not so possible
means of building the NH 53. One thing is very clear that
whoever disturbs the NH 53 construction is undoubtedly the
worst enemy of the Manipuris in large.
Laishram Napoleon,
Sagolband
(Received on email on August
14, 2001)
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