NFHRCC-PWD (R&B) concur
Nagaland Foot Hills Road Coordination Committee(NFHRCC) has claimed that following a series of negotiations with the PWD-Roads & Bridges (R&B)department over alignment of the foothill road, both sides agreed to the joint survey reports on the road alignment at the October 25 meeting.
NFHRCC convenor Supu Jamir and general secretary W.Y. Kithan, stated that the issue was resolved and agreed between NFHRCC and officers of PWD(R&B) led by its chief engineer D. Mero, Addl. CE Kophi, SE Temsu Aier and Engineer Naro.
The signatories disclosed, that at the October 25 meeting, the NFHRCC gave full assurance to PWD (R&B) that it will take full responsibility, in the event of any complaint from any quarter regarding alignments.
NFHRCC also assured the department, that it was “well prepared to face any eventualities whatsoever” in safeguarding “ The Road for Survival”. On its part, the department also assured that construction works would start as soon as formalities were observed.
NFHRCC appealed to public to extend their helping hand towards it and the department while also urging upon the department to “strike the iron while it is still hot” to bring out the desired shape.
Further, NFHRCC also expressed appreciation to chief minister Neiphiu Rio for his “genuine commitments”, R&B minister Khuzoluzo (Azo) Neinu for his “tireless efforts” in making the project alive, chief secretary Alemtemshi for his “unceasing support”, commissioner & secretary Temjen Toy for his “wisdom to avoid derailment” and the R&B department for “putting maximum effort” to fulfil the aspirations of the people.
It also expressed appreciation to Nagaland Post, Morung Express, Eastern Mirror, Tiryimyim and Ao Milen for “meticulously carrying out news to every corner of society including support and inspiration from all border area MLAs, freedom fighters and sacrifices by land owners to accomplish the long- cherished goal for “The Road for Survival”.
It may be noted, that one of the primary objective of the proposed foothill road connecting Dimapur and Tizit, was that the alignment should follow a route with the shortest distance. However, there has been divergence over the alignment as various groups/villages etc, have demanded that the alignment touch their respective areas.
The foothill road under NEC, had been abandoned in the 80s as Assam had objected to the route passing over its territories.
The Ao Senso Telongjem Dimapur had revived the plan against the backdrop of frequent economic blockades against Nagaland and also the spate of bandhs in Assam, that had affected travellers and trader from Nagaland.
KU blames NFHRCC for hue & cry
Keaffirming that it stood firm on its resolution and decision on alignment for the proposed foothill road within its jurisdiction, as unanimously agreed upon and submitted to the PWD-Roads & Bridges (R&B) department, Konyak Union partly blamed the Nagaland Foot Hill Road Coordination Committee (NFHRCC) for the hue and cry among different groups and individuals from Mon who have prepared their own road re-alignment without the consultation of KU within its jurisdiction and flashing it in the media on September 19.
KU vice president A.M. Kaiba Konyak and joint secretary L. Shakhai, in a statement, reminded that the alignment had been decided, after taking due consideration of factors such as-shortest distance, viability, cost effectiveness and convenience and also taking into account, the interest of the entire Konyak community and not just a group, villages, clusters, areas or individuals.
KU also said NFHRCC was aware of the matter and the unanimous decision to execute the task of alignment and survey work under the banner of apex tribal bodies, decided at the joint meeting of NFHRCC and tribal bodies on August 3 at the NFHRCC treasurer’s residence in Dimapur.
In pursuance of the decision, KU said it along with the PWD-Roads & Bridges department, KU units of Naginimora and Tizit adopted a joint resolution on August 16, where it was decided to entrust the department to “independently execute the survey and alignment work”.
It said, on completion of the survey, the department endorsed a copy of the report to KU which was collectively accepted and forwarded to the CE, PWD(R&B) for necessary action and endorsed to NFHRCC for information.
However, KU said it partly blamed Nagaland Foot Hill Road Coordination Committee for the hue and cry by groups and individuals within its jurisdiction made without its knowledge or consultation. KU said the alignment proposed- from Tizit town(forest area)- deviated from KU’s alignment and described the action as “humiliating and blatant disregard to the apex tribal body of Konyak community”.
KU has demanded that NFHRCC justify and clarify its action as to why the re-alignment was carried without its knowledge or consultation which created “unnecessary nuisance among its people” and disregarding the joint decision on August 3?
Konyak Union further appealed to all parties to restraint from going to the press in negation of its decision and in the larger interest of the entire Konyak community and respecting their sentiments and concern.