Border villages demand for a permanent bridge

Our Correspondent
Mokokchung, July 29 (EMN): Four village councils in Nagaland bordering with Assam namely Saringyim, Aonokpu Yimsen, Tsuremen and Akumen have demanded the state government to build the Liangmen Bridge at the earliest. The bridge is considered the only lifeline for the people living in the border connecting to Mokokchung district.

In a joint statement, chairmen of the four village councils on Wednesday stated that a joint meeting was held at Saringyim in connection with the ‘worn-out’ Liangmen wooden bridge, which has hindered the supply of essential commodities to the four border villages especially for the security personnel guarding the Assam-Nagaland border.

With the sealing of Assam-Nagaland border due to the Covid-19 lockdown, the chairmen stated that the only option was to use the weak wooden bridge for movement of people for various activities. They added that it has not only hindered the movement of people for carrying lifesaving drugs, essential commodities from Mokokchung but has limited the duties of the medical staff, personnel of NAP and IRB station at the bordering areas.

“Because of the unreliable wooden structure, people living in the border area are suffering enormously and are in deep distress,” it stated.
Stating that the Liangmen Bridge was completely destroyed in 2016, they lamented the indifferent attitude of the state government towards restoration of the bridge till date.

In this connection, they asserted that the inability of the PWD Road and Bridges to provide a solution to the issue indicated ‘sheer negligence towards the people living in the border area.’

The four village councils further appealed the state government to build a permanent structured bridge, which they felt would provide security to the people living in the border area but also connect with the rest of the state.