ZYF suspects move to shift medical college site
Source: Chronicle News Service / Kaimuanthang Mangte
CCpur, June 15 2022:
The state government's alleged plan to shift the already finalised site for setting up of the Medical College near Mata village in Churachandpur has been strongly objected by Zomi Students' Federation (ZSF).
The students' body said that many people are disheartened on learning that the government has made a tactical move by sending the state's health minister on June 11 to look for an alternative location at K Mongjang village.
Briefing media persons on the matter on Wednesday, ZSF general secretary Samuel Khaiminlun Taithul appealed to the state government not to meddle with such centrally sponsored project and reminded that the foundation stone was already laid by Union Home Minister Amit Shah via video conference way back on December 27, 2020 .
The ZSF leader further said that approach road cutting has been completed besides installation of other requisite infrastructure and urged authorities concerned not to change their decision without reasons.
He then cautioned that the Federation will be left with no choice but to resort to protest if the government fails to stick to the already approved location.
In this connection, a memorandum has been submitted to the home minister jointly by the Vaiphei Chiefs' Association, Zomi Students' Federation, Zomi Chiefs' Association and Zomi Youth Association.
In the memorandum, they among other points demanded early start of the construction and immediate release for funds by the state government for construction of approach road from NH-102B.It is said that the tender process for the work was completed and the' work awarded to Keystone Infra Pvt Ltd, which has completed half of land development and certain structures have been constructed in the campus so far.
Meanwhile, the state government is preparing to inaugurate the college and start classes as one of the 100-day achievements at its temporary location in the district hospital campus.
The ZSF further said that while the progress of the work is really commendable, they are shocked to learn that state authorities have other idea of shifting the site for construction of the Medical College from Mata village to K Mongjang village without valid grounds and justification.
It added that they are stunned to learn that the medical minister visited alternative location at K Mongjang on June 11, 2022 as a preliminary survey when the work has already commenced at Mata village.
The Vaiphei Chiefs' Association, ZYA and ZMA have also convened a press conference during which their spokesperson Lallunkam insisted that construction must take place at Mata, the already settled site, adding that "We will do what we can to make sure that the government goes ahead with its earlier decision" .