Pochury Students’ Union (PSU) has expressed dismay at National Highways &Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL)managing director’s (MD) letterof September 1 ordering withdrawal of activities from the proposed two-lane road project between Akhegwo and Akashbridge (Jessami) on NH 202 in Phek district.
The union in a statement said at a time when a development-deficient region of the State was looking forward to the mega project, the MD’s letter had put off the hopes and dreams of young generation and the people of Pochury.
Noting that the community had realised the misdeeds of some individuals and initiated necessary corrective measures, PSU regretted that the NHIDCL’s decision to suspend the tender indefinitely had come too early without giving the community sufficient time.
Now, even as civil society organisations and student bodies had lent support to the district administration in the multi-pronged approach to deal with the serious case of rampant structures along the proposed road, the union appealed for revocation of the order suspending the tender.
Claiming that efforts to aid the administration in identifying structures constructed solely for the purpose of claiming damage compensation was already showing positive results, PSU declared that it would support removing any obstacle that could jeopardise the mega project in “our land”.
It therefore directed all individuals/land owners whose land falls under the road project to come forward and voluntarily remove the structures constructed with malafide intention of claiming damage compensation in the greater interest of the common good and future of the community and the State. Referring to the inherent virtues of integrity, honesty and sincerity that had defined the Pochury Nagas since time immemorial, PSU stressed that selfishness, greed and short sightedness should not be allowed to blind “us and lead us into peril”.
It warned all vested interest people, both within the Pochury community and outsiders, that any act that could jeopardise the project would not be allowed at any cost. It also condemned the alleged exploitation by outsiders who purchased land from the unsuspecting villagers and constructed buildings solely for the purpose of claiming compensation, which has jeopardised the mega project.
The Union directed all individuals who had put up structures with malicious intent to obstruct development in the area and malign the image of Pochury people to immediately dismantle all temporary structures along the whole stretch from Akash bridge to Akhegwo on or before September 30, as per the government’s direction.
Declaring that it would stand for the right of people and ensure that all genuine properties, farmsteads (jhum and terrace fields) and forestswere compensated adequately, PSU also appealed to all villagers to stop all such practices that could obstruct development in the area.
As the apex body of student community representing theaspirations of future generation, the union assured to continue rendering unconditional support and full cooperation to all authorities to make the two-lane project a success.