Reacting to the setting up of a ministerial group on Petroleum & Natural Gas (2023-2028) headed by chief minister as the chairman, the Western Sumi Hoho (WSH) has expressed displeasure and shock that not a single Sumi legislator was included in the Ministerial Group.
WSH through its media cell termed it as a “discriminatory attitude” and biasness towards the Sumis and an insult to the Sumis as a whole.
WSH pointed out that western Sumi area, covers a sizable portion of territories in three districts of Dimapur, Niuland and Chümoukedima which are “richly blessed with natural resources, mainly petroleum and gas”.
It said the move that excluded Sumi legislator was “a deceitful and a sinister attempt” designed to sideline the Sumis from decision making and exclude them not be a part of such important projects in the state.
In light of the above, WSH has urged the state government to reconsider its decision and add one of the Sumi legislators from the Western Sumi area to the group failing which, WSH said the Sumis of the Western areas would “vehemently oppose” and halt any development activities related to petroleum and natural gas in their areas for which the state government would be fully responsible.
WSH & TUD flay
Both Western Sumi Hobo (WSH) and Tenyimi Union Dimapur (TUD) have demanded reopening of the NH 29 closed after the July 4 incident.
WSH: In a statement, WSH president Shikaho Zhimomi, has appealed to the responsible authority to reopen National Highway-29 stretch between Jharnapani and New Chümoukedima, that has been closed for vehicular movement since July 4.
WSH said the road blockade has sparked widespread displeasure and discontentment among citizens and commuters disrupting daily businesses. WSH said this has raised concern with regard to negative impact on commuters and local businesses and to daily life including travel distance and adverse economic consequences.
WSH stated that alternative route had caused immense hardship as commuters have to travel for over two hours. Moreover, WSH said the road condition from Mhainamtsi /Pimla road, neglected for so long, was in a very worst shape and not pliable.
WSH alleged that NHIDCL neither took adequate nor preventive measures to mitigate the blockade. Further, it said NHIDCL was not in the process of installing safety measures along the stretch and therefore, cautioned of legal actions if the harassment continued.
TUD: Tenyimi Union Dimapur (TUD) has expressed strong resentment at the road management at Chumoukedima-Chathe bridge on NH 29 where commuters were being asked to append signatures and declare they were travelling at their one own risk.
TUD president Vekhosayi Nyekha said such practice was never heard of in any part of the world. He accused NHIDCL of negligence and adopting a lackadaisical attitude which has exposed travelling public to untold difficulties.
Nyekha said since the July 4 unfortunate incident, there was no sign of any steps taken by NHIDCL to redress various issues and therefore, demanded the authority take immediate steps to address the problem in the interest of the general public.
