JKM demands early reconstruction of damaged bridges in Japukong

DIMAPUR: Japukong Students’ Conference (JKM) has urged the state government and concerned departments to reconstruct the Milak Bailey Bridge at Yajang ‘C’ village and the hanging bridge at Lizo Model Village at the earliest, following their destruction in the floods of July 19.
In a press release, JKM president Angemangyang and general secretary Tiarenla said that a team of JKM officials, executive members and advisors visited the two villages on August 12 to assess the situation and the hardships faced by the affected communities.
It said Milak Bailey Bridge, destroyed by the flood, served as the main access route for students (including those attending Rajeshwari Karuna School at Wamaken Valley in Tuli), personnel of the 13th NAP (IR) Battalion Yajang, farmers, daily wage earners, small business owners and the general public. JKM said destruction of the bridge has disrupted daily movement, transport of agricultural produce, access to medical facilities and supply of essential goods.
JKM said it convened a joint meeting at Yajang ‘C’ village with stakeholders, including the village councils of four Yajang villages and 13 NAP (IR) Battalion. It said officials of PWD (R&B) feeder roads division, Tuli, however, did not attend.
JKM said village councils expressed strong resentment over the long-standing neglect of the road from Yajang ‘A’ to NH-02 (Amguri-Tuli Road), describing it as a vital lifeline for several villages and the Japukong range.
JKM has urged the state government and NPWD (R&B) to reconstruct the Milak Bailey Bridge at the earliest, noting that it forms part of the Nagaland Foothill Road and was crucial for the wider region. It also demanded prompt maintenance of the Yajang ‘A’–NH-02 road by the Tuli feeder roads division.
At Lizo Model Village, JKM said the hanging bridge was also destroyed by the July 19 floods.
Stating that the bridge was the main connectivity route for the village, JKM said damage of the bridge has severely affected daily movement, access to medical facilities during emergencies, and students’ ability to reach schools in Longpayimsen and surrounding villages.
JKM said it also discussed the situation with the Lizo Model village council and urged the Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA) to take prompt action for restoration and reconstruction of the bridge. JKM stressed that both bridges were important lifelines for the people of Japukong and called for immediate intervention by the concerned departments without further delay.
The conference said it remained committed to following up on the matter until necessary action was taken.