MMC complex fire, graveyard issues discussed at Mokokchung DPDB meeting

DIMAPUR — The Mokokchung District Planning and Development Board (DPDB) convened its monthly meeting on February 19 at the Rural Assembly Hall in Ungma village, with Tongpang Ozukum, Advisor for Water Resources and chairman of DPDB, presided over the meeting.

According to a DIPR update, during the meeting, based on the report presented by the additional deputy commissioner (ADC) and administrator of the Mokokchung Municipal Council (MMC) regarding the MMC Shopping Complex fire incident, the house resolved to assess the building’s condition as provided by experts from the National Institute of Technology (NIT).

This assessment will be carried out by a technical committee formed within the district and chaired by the ADC and MMC administrator. The committee is tasked with preparing a comprehensive report that will be submitted to the chairman of DPDB Mokokchung within two weeks for further action.

On the issue of the graveyard in Mokokchung, where the current land area is fully utilised, it was decided that the DPDB would pursue the landowners for additional land. Furthermore, it was suggested that MMC develop a policy to address the burial problem that the town’s citizens face.

The meeting discussed the reluctance of landowners to continue allowing their land to be used as a dumping site and it was agreed that there is a need to educate citizens about waste segregation. The relevant department will take steps to control the damage and pollution in the area. Additionally, it was decided that the department should approach the landowners and villagers to reconsider the use of the site.

On the agenda of Vision Mokokchung 2040, it was resolved that members do an in-depth study and further deliberation would be held in the coming days.

The report mentioned that during the meeting, a PowerPoint presentation on Mega Job Expo 2024 was presented and the verification committee for the local area development programme (LADP) 2023–2024 was approved. Also, the upgrade of Tsurangkong Primary Health Centre to a community health centre and the registration of the Mokokchung Athletics Association were approved and forwarded.

In the meantime, DC Mokokchung gave a report on the Mokokchung district’s participation in the Nagaland Olympic and Paralympic Games 2024.

Other attendees at the meeting included NLA Speaker Sharingain Longkumer, Minister of Rural Development and SIRD Metsubu Jamir, Advisor for Law and Justice and Land Revenue T N Mannen, and Advisor for IPR and Soil and Water Conservation Imkong L Imchen.