Aos mull construction of foothill road with or without govt’s help

Still with no positive response from the state government to its appeal to expedite construction of the Dimapur-Wokha-Mokokchung-Longleng-Mon foothill road, the Ao community has resolved to initiate a course of action by the community in the light of government silence. 

A meeting of the leaders of  Ao Senso Telongjem of Dimapur, Kohima, Medziphema and Chumukedima held Saturday, decided to provide a time frame  to the state government to respond and if it still did remained silent, the community would call for contribution of money from each and every Ao household so as to initiate construction of the road in their  own capacity.

Reiterating the urgency in construction of the vital foothill road, leaders of the Ao community reminded of the vulnerability of Naga passing through Assam.

They cited the latest instance of the May 24   road blockade on Naga vehicles and physical assault to Naga travelers in Mariani.

Asserting that it’s ‘better late than never,’ the house unanimously resolved that the four-decade old neglected road project would be taken up at the earliest, with or without the help of the state government.

Towards this objective, a core committee would also be constituted to oversee the modalities of the foothill road construction.

The meeting also decided that Aos will approach tribal NGOs and hohos of other communities especially under whose jurisdictions; the foothill road would pass through, for support and understanding.

Mention may be made that ASTD demand was endorsed by Ao Senden on May 21 at the federal assembly to initiate whatever steps deemed necessary for the early construction of the foothill road.
ASTD upset over

TL Angami statement
Also taking serious note on the disparaging remark made on the origin of the Ao Nagas as per traditional history in an article written by TL Angami appearing in local dailies on May 30, ASTD has asked the author TL Angami to be prepared to discuss on the history of the Aos in the coming days.

It was pointed out that the author had written that he found it “difficult to believe that according to Ao traditional history, they came from a cave of six stone (longterok)” and also that “it will be meaningless at present for recognition of those tribes as traditional tribes.”