Contractor refutes
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Imphal, May 14 2014 :
Contractor Johnny Golmei alias Ningtinglung has strongly refuted to the version of Liangmai Naga Council (LNC) on the Barak bailey bridge news item appeared few days ago in local dailies.
Johnny said the LNC's news item is to dispel confusion to the public in the matter pertaining to construction of Bailey bridge over Barak river at Dikiuram and Katang villages under Tamei sub division, Tamenglong district.
"It is an eye opener for all sundry particularly the Liangmei Naga Council and Liangmai Naga Katimai Ruangdi leaders and the Zeliangrong brethrens in general for having opened the pandoras's box by the leaders of LNC," the contractor said.
According to the contractor, it is a herculaen task to get the Bailey bridge constructed within a stipulated period of time due to multifarious hurdles from diffrent angles in the form of intimidations,lawlessnes and chaotic situations.
Despite the fact that the central Government has allocated hefty amount of fund for conectivity and developmental programmes in both rural and urban areas of Manipur,the pace of construction cannot be carried out smoothly within a specified period of time due to the untimely delivery of required materials by the Dept(NEC-II)and the bridge materials which are not issued/supplied by the dept.are not available in the market.Indeed it is pathetic to describe that many contractors are also suffering untold hardship due to non-payments of bills, he said.
"Whereas,considering the urgent need of opening the bridge to traffic,the concerned contractor has incurred a substantial amount of money to procure all the required materials to hasten completion of the bridge in due course of time.However,it is quite unfortunate that instead of encouraging or lauding the contractor for the commendable work,the chairman/some vested interest leaders are still continuing to spit venoms without knowing the pros and cons.It is pertinent to ask as to why the LNC is asking to hand over the bridge to the public perhaps for public conveyance before the perpetrators involved in trying to dismantling the bridge are booked?.," the contractors asked.
It is quite obvious that the leaders of the LNC has been in slumber for the past many years ever since the work started executing way back in 2006-07, Johnny added.
According to the contractor, an FIR was lodged against the culprit who attempted to dismantle/collapse by removing eight pieces of bolt nuts of the newly constructed bailey suspension bridge.Those at the helm of affairs should not shy away from the troubled water.Taking law into one's hand by flexing muscles or guns culture will aggravate the situation, Johnny alias Ningtinglung stated.