Nagaland Foothill Road Coordination Committee (NFHRCC), which had on August 7, 2021 served a 30-day deadline on the state government to positively respond to its plea of making the foot hill road pliable “while waiting for the proposed mega project”, has extended the deadline till September 12, 2020.
In a press release, NFHRCC convenor Supu Jamir, general secretary W Lemba Chang and assistant general secretary Chenithung Humtsoe said the resolution was adopted at a follow up consultative meeting of the NFHRCC with Dimapur-based Tribal Hohos, the student bodies and the youth organisations and CNSA at its base office on September 3, 2021.
At the meeting, the house discussed threadbare the appeal letter from the state government and resolved to give the government till September 12, 2021. NFHRCC has, however, affirmed that the proposed indefinite agitation would begin from September 13, if there was no positive response from the government after the extended deadline.
Further, the house unanimously resolved to hold a consultative meeting comprising of the foothill road tribal organisations, student and youth organisations at NFHRCC base office, Kher Mahal, Dimapur on September 7, at 3 p.m. to work out for the indefinite agitation.
WSH, CNTC back NFRCC 30-day ultimatum on govt
Western Sumi Hoho (WSH) has affirmed full support for 30-day NFHRCC ultimatum and urged the state government to promptly give a positive response.
WSH demanded that the foot hill road be completed at the earliest possible time while waiting for the approval of Trans Express Highway mega project from the central government.
Acknowledging the philanthropic contribution an amount of Rs.36,56,282 by Ao Baptist Arogo Mungdang for the early completion of the project, WSH said it was “a worthy example of how churches have stepped forward to contribute for a social cause and proves how important this route is for the masses and the government cannot afford to remain passive.”
WSH stated that foothill road project would make a crucial contribution to the socio-economic development and important social benefits for the people of Nagaland.
It also said that the project, which started 46 years ago, survived despite many odds and difficulties due to the conviction of the people. The hoho, therefore, said that the state government should also complete the project on a priority basis.
CNTC: Extending support to the NFHRCC demand, the Central Nagaland Tribes Council (CNTC) has urged the state government to accord a top priority for the completion of the foothill road. The council stated that “this historic project”, which began in 1974, could not materialise and ultimately had to be abandoned due to various factors.
CNTC has, therefore, urged the state government to complete the historic project, which started under the initiative of NFHRCC. It said that the movement of commuters from Nagaland faced constant harassment due to lightning bandhs, economic blockades and communal tensions.
CNTC also lauded statement made by chief minister Neiphiu Rio at the ENPO silver jubilee celebration, on February 24, 2021 at Tobu that his government was ready to make the funds available through any means for the construction of a jeepable road.
CNTC has sought unconditional support from all the legislators and sections of people for the project to become a reality. “This is one extraordinary project where not a single landowner was made to ask for compensation and Naga Political Groups not to levy tax and the department concerned too agreed only for statutory deductions,” CNTC said.
The council has, therefore, urged the state government to have a strong political will and complete the project without any delay as the road would uplift the people in many ways.
