MMTA appeals
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 01 2018:
Manipur Mountaineering and Trekking Association (MMTA) has once again appealed to the State Government to make necessary arrangements for the construction of a rest house as well as to properly repair the road leading to Dzuko valley.
Speaking to mediapersons at MMTA office at Minuthong, in presence of the trekkers who were released from the custody of Nagaland police, today morning, the association president Bijoy Kakchingtabam said that MMTA has been appealing to the Governments of the time since 1985, for the repairing of the road leading to Dzuko valley as well as to construct a rest house for the trekkers.
However, all those appeals have fallen to deaf ears till date, he added.
2/3rd of Dzuko valley, which measures around 2.5 sq kilometres, is in Manipur while the rest is in Nagaland, he explained adding that for the Nagaland side, the route is short and the roads have been properly fixed.
The Nagaland side even have a rest house and a helipad as well.
However, when it comes to Manipur's side, the route is rather long and the condition of the road is deplorable.
A rest house is missing as well, he added.
He continued that recently, a team of trekkers under the aegis of MMTA went on a trip to the valley as a part of the Manipur Sangai Festival 2018.During the trip, a wild fire occurred out of nowhere and 8 of the trekkers lost their way during the confusion and ran towards Nagaland side of the Dzuko valley to escape the fire and as such they were detained by Southern Angami Youth Organisation on November 26.The evening of the same day, the 8 trekkers were handed over to Nagaland police, he narrated, adding that the trekkers were released yesterday.
They were released after a fruitful agreement was reached at the office chamber of the Chief Secretary of Nagaland, he added.
Bjoy then expressed gratitude to Chief Minister N Biren Singh, PHE Minister L Dikho, DGP LM Khaute, IGP L Kailun, secretary of Indian Red Cross Society, Manipur, Dr Y Mohen and all those who ensured the safe release *f the 8 trekkers.
Necessary steps will bee taken up to prevent such incidents in the future.
From now, entering and leaving Dzuko valley will be done through Manipur side, he added.