Foothill Road: Hohos call for dialogue to break deadlock
Foothill Road: Hohos call for dialogue to break deadlock
The Nagaland Foothill Road Coordination Committee (NFHRCC) held a closed-door emergency meeting with 12 Dimapur-based tribal hohos on Tuesday, to address the ongoing impasse between the committee and the state government over the Foothill Road project
DIMAPUR — The
Nagaland Foothill Road Coordination Committee (NFHRCC) held a closed-door
emergency meeting with 12 Dimapur-based tribal hohos on Tuesday, to address the
ongoing impasse between the committee and the state government over the
Foothill Road project.
The tribal hoho representatives called for an urgent
dialogue between all parties to prevent unnecessary delays, reiterating that
the ultimate goal is to complete the project efficiently and fairly for the
benefit of all.
The committee also refuted allegations of political
biasness, stating that NFHRCC has never engaged in favouritism. It acknowledged
that the government had selected contractors based on credentials and expressed
gratitude for the same. However, the committee urged the contractors to honour
their commitments and work in cooperation with NFHRCC to ensure smooth
execution of the project.
After the meeting, Western Yimkhiung Hoho general secretary,
Awong Yimkhiung, affirmed that the launching programme of M/s Chabou & Co.
and M/s JK Construction at Baghty division on February 21 was a direct
violation of NFHRCC resolutions.
Clarifying that NFHRCC is working not for personal gain but
for the welfare of the Nagas as a whole, he appealed for better coordination
between all stakeholders to ensure smooth progress of the project.
Representing the Dimapur Ao Youth Organisation, Akum Jamir
said that the main issue is due to reluctance of the contractors to agree on
points 5 and 7 of the agreement. He urged both NFHRCC and the contractors to
find common ground rather than jeopardising the project.
Khiamniungan Union Dimapur executive secretary, Haoshi
Khiamniungan, said that no one is against the contractors, but asserted that
rules and agreements must be followed to ensure the project continues as
planned.
Dimapur Phom Union
president, Thokphen Phom, and Konyak Union Dimapur president, M Jeangne
Yanglem, reaffirmed their support to NFHRCC. They called upon the contractors
to work in accordance with the no objection certificate (NOC) and deliver
quality results.
Ao Senso Telongjem Dimapur assistant general secretary, Lanu
Aier, criticised the government’s approach and said that questioning NFHRCC’s
legitimacy was “irresponsible.”
Kuki Inpi Nagaland general secretary, Lulum Khoulhou,
affirmed that the Foothill Road project is a people’s movement that began 13
years ago, and urged the government and contractors to seek solutions rather
than suppressing the project.
A representative of the Zeliang People’s Organisation also
appealed to the contractors to cooperate and rectify any discrepancy between
the parties to move forward.
The hohos also stated that NFHRCC has reaffirmed its
readiness to address and modify concerns raised by contractors, and added that
the same standards should apply to all parties
Akum Jamir reassured that the NFHRCC is fully responsible
for addressing any underlying issues and encouraged any hesitant firm to come
forward for discussions rather than delaying the project.
