Citizens continue to spurn efforts for clean Dimapur

DMC claims it has painted the road divider over ten times

[caption id="attachment_158579" align="aligncenter" width="565"] Dismantling Team cleaning the road divider in Dimapur smeared with pan laced spittle stains. (The photo has been taken from the “A Better Dimapur” Facebook page) (EM Images)[/caption] Dimapur, Jan. 9(EMN): Despite joint efforts of the Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) and the Dismantling Team (DT) to make Dimapur city ‘Clean, Green and Healthy,’ stains from paan, gutka and betel nut spittle by unconcerned citizens continue to adorn walls and crevices on the streets of Dimapur. The campaign put up by the authority discouraging spitting in public places and to make use of waste bins have not been well received by the residents till date. It is a common sight to see spittle stains in every establishment - from private to government offices and hospitals- despite broad public notice restriction on “spitting on the wall.” However, it has become a ‘Naga thing’ to do so with chewing tobacco almost a tradition. With a plan to keep the Dimapur city ‘Clean, Green and Healthy,’ administrator of Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC), Moa Sangtam had launched “A Better Dimapur” project on June 1, 2017. The project was launched with an aim to change the mindset of people by involving Dimapur community. However, the effort of DMC involving various teams under “A Better Dimapur” project was responded with lack of civic sense and sense of ownership. In an effort to keep Dimapur city clean and green, DMC had painted the road divider along the stretch between Clock Tower and Nyamo Lotha Road with the launching of “A Better Dimapur” project in 2017. Ironically, the noble gesture of the town municipal council was rendered with negative response from the citizens. Today, the road dividers are dotted with spittle of tobacco stains over the blue and white paint. Not disheartened with the callous attitude of the people, DMC along with the ‘Dismantling team’ of the ‘A Better Dimapur’ project continue to whitewash and repaint it. DMC administrator Sangtam told Eastern Mirror that DMC and the Dismantling Team (DT) take turns to whitewash and paint the spittle smeared along the lane dividers at odd hours. “We have not taken into record how many times we have painted and whitewash the land dividers, but it is not less than ten times since last year the project was launched,” said Sangtam. Lamenting on the lack of ownership among the community, Sangtam said the team would continue to paint no matter how much the public defile their effort till they understand their endeavour and inculcate civic sense and responsibility. “Tobacco products should be banned, impose fine on those spitting and educate the ignorant people,” opined a citizen. Another citizen opined that schools, communities and churches should try to educate the people on such concern too. “Civic sense will develop if basic amenities are good. I wish we have good roads, better bridges, proper electricity supply, and market rate control to name a few. Good governance will result in good citizens and good citizens will have civic sense,” shared another concerned citizen.