Taobam Village to Launch Economic Blockade on NH-37 from Midnight August 23

Noney: The villagers of Taobam, located in Noney District, have announced an indefinite economic blockade along National Highway 37 (Imphal-Jiribam Road) starting at midnight on August 23. This action comes in response to the government’s failure to address the villagers’ demands related to the collateral damage caused by the construction of a 4-lane RCC bridge over the Irang River at Taobam.

In a press statement issued by the Taobam Village Authority, it was highlighted that despite several memoranda submitted to the government and the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), there has been no positive response or action from the concerned authorities.

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The villagers have put forward five key demands:

1. To receive the collateral bill sheets by the affected families which is a legal compensation amount.
2. To Construct approach road of the affected village (Taobam) and Inter village Road ( IVR) of Guangram village .
3. To Construct a new play ground for the affected village (Taobam).
4. To remove / dragged out the fallen Bailey Bridge which was collapsed and felt on the Irang River .
5. To reimburse for the cost of 60,000 CFT of sand.

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An ultimatum signed by the Chairman of Taobam Village Authority, Tangamang Kamei, along with other village leaders including K. Dichakpou, an affected landowner, Thanjuanlung, President of Taobam Youth Club, and Dinthaorei, a Village Authority member, was submitted to the Executive Director of NHIDCL, Regional Office, Imphal. The ultimatum demanded the fulfillment of the above-mentioned demands by August 22, 2024.

Failure to meet these demands will result in the enforcement of an indefinite economic blockade along NH-37. The blockade will also restrict the movement of all vehicles belonging to construction companies working under NHIDCL from using the 4-lane RCC bridge.

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