July 4th tragedy at New Chumoukedima (Kohima-Dimapur four lanes)
- Kohima, 17th July, 2023 :: Naga People's Front -
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Much has been said and discussed, but so far the National Highway & Infrastructure Development Cooperation Limited (NHIDCL) group has not provided any remedial action or guarantees for the safety of public life, even after the July 4th tragedy that caused the rock fall at New Chumoukedima (Kohima-Dimapur four lanes) where two precious lives were lost.
As early as the July 4th incident, Nagaland Pollution Control Board made prior repeated requests and warnings to the group company about the safety measures and destructive environment caused by the unsafe cuttings of the earth for the construction of the four-lane road however the NHIDCL did not respond to the incident and turned deaf ear claiming the tragic incident as a natural disaster.
It was very unfortunate on the NHIDCL's part to blame the state government for not providing the necessary land for the road's construction as it is understandable even to the layman that it can be dangerous when such cuts are made on steep slopes.
Even the state government has rightly pointed out that blowing up dynamite and the way the earth was cut up is unprofessional. How come, then, that the NHIDCL is calling its negligence a natural disaster? Human lives are precious, the NHIDCL cannot fool the Naga public with its lackadaisical attitude, but should immediately stand up for the safety of the people, as many unsettled rocks have multiple cracks on the mountain layers, which allows more tragedies to happen at any time as rock falling is continuing till date along the stretch.
I, therefore urge the state government to immediately launch an independent inquiry committee into the work performance that led to the tragic death on July 4th and, depending on who is responsible, NHIDCL or the contractor, should be punished accordingly
The NPF party will be compelled to drag both the Contractor and the NHIDCL to the public Court in order to save lives if justice is not delivered at the earliest.
(Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu
MLA & Leader of NPF Legislature Party
* This info was provided by Naga People's Front and can be contacted at npfpressbureau(AT)rediffmail(DOT)com
This article was posted on July 18 2023 .
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