OPEN MEMORANDUM ON URGENT PUBLIC IMPORTANCE
To:
The Hon’ble Chief Minister
Shri Y. Khemchand Singh
Government of Manipur
Copy to:
Shri N. Biren Singh, Hon’ble Former Chief Minister & MLA
All National & State Media Outlets
Subject: Urgent Intervention Required for Immediate Restoration of NH-102A Alternative Route — Ukhrul to Imphal & Tadubi to Ukhrul — Lifeline for Indigenous People During Prevailing Crisis
Respected Sir,
With profound concern and a deep sense of civic duty, I submit this appeal for your most urgent and personal intervention regarding the deplorable condition of the new alternative road connecting Ukhrul–Imphal and Tadubi–Ukhrul on NH-102A.
The Ground Reality
In the wake of the ongoing crisis that has gripped Manipur since May 2023, this alternative route has become the sole arterial lifeline for the people of Ukhrul and Senapati Districts, and for countless indigenous citizens of Manipur. It is being used daily for medical emergencies, movement of essential commodities, student travel, and evacuation during threats to life and security.
As evident in the attached photograph, the stretch has deteriorated into an impassable, waterlogged, and hazardous track. Vehicles are stranded, citizens are forced to walk miles, and the risk to life is acute. This is not merely an inconvenience. This is a humanitarian and strategic vulnerability.
The Constitutional Imperative
Article 21 of the Constitution guarantees the right to life. Article 355 mandates the Union and State to protect every citizen against internal disturbance. The State Government bears the primary responsibility to ensure safe, all-weather connectivity for its people, especially in conflict-affected regions.
When a road becomes the difference between life and death, its repair is not a developmental project. It is an act of governance. It is an act of protection.
The Appeal
I, therefore, earnestly beseech your good office to:
—Declare this route a critical emergency corridor and sanction immediate war-footing restoration under disaster management provisions.
—Deploy necessary machinery and manpower to ensure all-weather motorability within a defined timeframe.
—Institute continuous monitoring until permanent upgrading is completed, given its vital role in the collective security and wellness of Manipur.
This appeal transcends politics. It is about safeguarding indigenous lives, preserving access to healthcare, and upholding the dignity of citizens who have placed their faith in the State. The collective future of Manipur cannot be built on roads that abandon its people in their hour of need.
We place our trust in your decisive leadership and remain hopeful that imperative action will be initiated without delay. The people of the hills and valley will remember who stood for them when the path was broken.
With deepest respect and in service to Manipur,
Michael Meiphami Shaiza
A Native of Manipur, India
Voice for the People of Manipur