SSAALWC threatens total cessation of 2-lane road project

Dimapur, Feb. 16 (EMN): The SARDP Sumi Area Affected Landowners’ Welfare Committee (SSAALWC) has threatened to enforce total cessation of ongoing 2-lane road project under Sumi jurisdiction for an indefinite period till the payment is made to the genuine beneficiaries listed and verified by respective village councils, deputy commissioner and concerned departments from the year 2012-2016.

The committee has decided to enforce total cessation of the ongoing project to express dissatisfaction on the part of the concerned authorities for giving false assurances on matter pertaining to non-payment of 2nd phase property damage compensation under SARDP-NE Road Project was back in 2011.

This was stated in a representation submitted to the deputy commissioner of Zunheboto following a joint meeting held on February 13. A committee’s representation, jointly appended by the committee convenor Ghuvishe Zhimomi and the secretary Kakheto Zhimo, has reaffirmed the earlier resolutions dated

August, 28, 2019, September 4, 2019, and October 17, 2019, which were submitted to the government authorities.

Through the representation, the committee has directed the contactors/ firms engaged and executing the work to halt/ suspend the work with immediate effect from February 17. It cautioned that failure to comply would invite seizure of machineries.

It mentioned that on August 28, 2019, the committee had submitted a joint resolution to halt the work for an indefinite period. However, owing to the courtesy call of DC Zunheboto and Sumi Hoho, the SSAALWC, in good faith, agreed to call off the cessation of work and apprised the authorities to come out with logical conclusion at the earliest.

On September 4, 2019, the committee also submitted a representation addressed to the chief secretary through the DC Zunheboto apprising to address their genuine demand. It stated that the Works and Housing department (Works Branch), dated September 13, 2019, had directed the DC Zunheboto to take up proper verification and submit detailed reports with factual estimates as per the approved rates.

Again on October 17, 2019, the committee and representatives of the Sumi Hoho had a joint sitting at Zunheboto to deliberate the issue for suspending the ongoing work. It was in the meeting, the Sumi Hoho assured to take up the matter on priority to the state Governor. It, however, stated that the representation/ letter of the Sumi Hoho could reach the office only on May 25, 2020, after a lapse of six months from the date of joint meeting.

The representation also mentioned that on June 2, 2020, the Governor’s Secretariat, Kohima, had again directed the DC Zunheboto to submit copy of the spot verification of the damages assessed during the year 2011 and the action taken and also to furnish the details to the Secretariat for perusal of the Governor.

In the light of the above decisions, the committee expressed dissatisfaction and resented the negligence of the government authorities shown towards their genuine demand. The committee further decided not to attend any joint meeting till their issue is addressed.