Lotha Hoho (LH), Sangtam Union Dimapur and Konyak Union Dimapur have joined other CSOs to express support for the Nagaland Foothills Road Coordination Committee (NFHRCC)’s 30-day ultimatum served on the state government.”
In a press release, LH chairman Mhondamo Ovung and general secretary S Abenthung Ngullie questioned why was the state government not bothered about foothill road, which was the lifeline of the border districts including Dimapur, Wokha, Mokokchung, Longleng, Mon and even Zunheboto and Tuensang districts.
LH lamented that while foothill road had been under construction for the last more than a decade, the neighbouring state Assam was “able to build pucca roads all along our boundary”.
In this regard, the hoho queried why was the state government exhibiting its “inability and indifference while constantly talking about boundary dispute?”
LH has asked the state government to attend to foothill road on top priority with fund, manpower and all the logistic support needed for early completion of the road.
It also urged the responsible stakeholders including NFHRCC to extend all the needed support for early completion of the work.
According to LH, the bridge over Doyang river at Liphanyan, Wokha district, for which work order was issued seven years ago (on November 21, 2014), still remained incomplete despite advance payment of Rs.18.49 crore to the contractor, which amounts to 75% of the total W/O amount, for execution of only about 25 % to 30 % of the work.
LH said it had filed an FIR “against this fraud” on October 20, 2017 against the contractor and the concerned executive engineer. However, LH said that NFHRCC had asked to resume the abandoned work before the Police could take follow up action against the accused.
However, LH said that if the work was not completed within reasonable time frame, the FIR would be revived. It said the bridge was targeted to have been commissioned on October 15, 2016 as per Work Order.
Stating that it was delayed by five years due to “deliberate mischief of the contractor”, LH said that the contractor should not be paid any escalation.
Further, LH has urged the state government and the responsible authorities including NFHRCC to complete the road at the earliest, failing which the hoho would be compelled to resort to other means of seeking solution to the matter including revival of FIR.
SUD: Extending support to NFHRCC resolution, the Sangtam Union Dimapur (SUD) urged the state government to respond to the cry of its people by making the foot hill road pliable. SUD president Nukshiba Sangtam and asst. general secretary Mongli Sangtam maintained that foothill road, which affects districts of Dimapur, Wokha, Mokokchung, Zunheboto and the Eastern Nagaland, was a ‘people’s Project’ and would benefit all the Nagas in general.
SUD affirmed that it would be forced to join the indefinite agitation as resolved unanimously by all the affected tribes in the event of state government’s failure to take action.
KUD: Konyak Union Dimapur (KUD) while extending “full support” to NFHRCC expressed the need for Nagaland have a proper foothill road connecting all parts of Nagaland.
KUD president Mosa Konyak and general secretary M Jeange Yanlem pointed out the “crises during the economic blockade imposed by the neighbouring states over the border conflicts” and the “untold problem” and difficulties faced by people and students. KUD therefore, urged all irrespective of tribes to support the NFRCC demand. The union affirmed that it was willing to participate in any course of action to make the demand of foothill road into reality.