Lotha organisations split over Foothills Road project
Lotha organisations split over Foothills Road project
The Lotha Hoho issued a press release on Friday condemning the February 21 launch of Foothills Road construction at Khumjo Yan in Wokha district, while the Lotha Lower Range Students Union (LLRSU) issued a separate statement supporting the same.
DIMAPUR — Two
Lotha organisations have taken contrasting stances over the impasse that has
hit the Foothills Road project once again.
The Lotha Hoho issued a press release on Friday condemning
the February 21 launch of Foothills Road construction at Khumjo Yan in Wokha
district, while the Lotha Lower Range Students Union (LLRSU) issued a separate
statement supporting the same.
According to the Lotha Hoho, the February 21 launch was an
act committed against the will of the apex tribal organisations, including Ao
Senden, Sumi Hoho, and Lotha Hoho.
It stated that on January 16 they had resolved not to allow
firms refusing to sign the implementation agreement with the NFHRCC to execute
the contract work, “as it has been the practice since 2013 when the Foothills
Road was conceived and work started.”
“The tribal organisations have reason to insist on an
implementation agreement since many developmental projects have failed in
Nagaland in the past in spite of official agreements signed. Few recent
examples of such failures within Wokha district are the Wokha-Merapani road,
the Wokha town section of the NH 2, etc.
“Although the approaches may differ, it is envisaged that
the target of the contending parties is the same: that is for good workmanship,
as per the Project Report specifications. Hence, the parties are requested to
amicably come to terms with each other so the common target is achieved for the
benefit of all concerned,” it stated.
The Lotha Hoho asked those firms refusing to sign the
agreement to “execute the implementation agreement with the NFHRCC at an early
date, so as to enable early smooth implementation of the road project work.”
Meanwhile, the LLRSU took a different position on the issue.
“The Foothill Road project, which was formally started at Khumjo village under
Bhandari sub-division, Wokha district, is something that the Lotha Lower Range
Students Union firmly supports and encourages collaboration on.
“LLRSU fully understands and respects the NFHRCC intentions
regarding the ongoing issue. The ongoing project has been a long-cherished
dream of the people under Bhandari sub-division, which also covers the largest
stretch of the Foothill Road. Although LLRSU fully understands and respects the
NFHRCC intentions regarding the ongoing issue, it reminds the NFHRCC to
carefully address the statement that an MLA is an elected representative of the
people in the Legislative Assembly regardless of whether they hold a
ministerial or advisor position with a portfolio,” read its statement.
The union expressed gratitude to MLA Achumbemo Kikon for his
tireless efforts on behalf of the constituency and asserted that he was elected
by the voters to represent their interests and concerns.
“In addition to downplaying the importance of the job,
calling an MLA a ‘mere MLA’ disregards the democratic mandate and the wishes of
the electorate. Although LLRSU is aware of the constant verbal sparring, we continue
to monitor the long-awaited project that has officially started because it will
benefit not only the Lothas but also the Nagas in general because, in this
case, ‘Nagas are the owners’, and the work must be finished on schedule.
“Although the union acknowledges the admirable goals of the
like-minded individual organisations, it cannot afford to allow this halt to
continue since it will impede the people's long-awaited ambition, the Nagas in
general and the Bhandari subdivision of the lower Lotha range. Because we will
be actively supervising and overseeing the project's execution inside our
headquarters in the Bhandari sub-division and strictly adhering to the detailed
project report, LLRSU thus requests cooperation on the ongoing FHR project,” it
stated.
