Dimapur, July 26 (EMN): The Railway Contractors’ Union Nagaland (RCUN) on Tuesday asked the state government to set up a SIT to conduct an investigation in the railway land encroachment issue; and penalise those involved as per the provisions of law.
RCUN asked why the government was maintaining silence on the issue, and urged it to immediately take up the matter and “act with a stern hand to release all the Railway land from illegal encroachments”.
It stated that RCUN had been pursuing the matter with the authorities for many years. However, the district authorities never handled the matter in a “judicious and fast track manner”.
It further asked the NFR why it had not taken up the matter of encroachment at the early stages instead of waiting “so long for it to unfold”. RCUN questioned the lack of concern for the development of Dimapur Railway Station by NFR, stating that the Railway department had enough personnel of the RPF and the GRP to deal with such situations.
It further accused the NFR of “step-motherly treatment” to Dimapur, as the state government has plans for setting up other railway stations at Chumoukedima and Zubza.
“We can very well apprehend that the plans of expansion and upgradation of the Dimapur Railway Station will always remain a distant dream as such plans will also be hijacked in favour of the other newer and less significant railway stations. Therefore, the excuse given by the NFR of illegal encroachment being the sole reason for not developing the Railway Station is full of malice and highly questionable,” read the statement.
It stated that the railway is the cheapest and the safest mode of travel for most of the people, especially for families, students, traders, commuters, etc.
“Therefore everyone must support in the endeavour of its development instead of being passive about it,” it added.