Source: The Sangai Express / Addie Chiphang
Ukhrul, November 18 2008:
Close on the heels of resentment over the alleged lackadaisical attitude of the department concerned towards the need to look into the pathetic condition of road that passes through the villages of Nunghar, Khamasom, Poi and Chingai in Ukhrul district, the death of SAS Wilson along this road has irked the Yang Raphei Conference (YRC) prompting it to close down PWD office, Ukhrul here yesterday.
Speaking to The Sangai Express, the president of YRC, Tuithing Zingkhai said, the organisation (YRC) along with Action Committee on Central Road Fund and other youth clubs of the affected areas has been compelled to act to the extent of closing down the office of executive engineer PWD Ukhrul indefinitely following the State Government's apathy towards its demand, adding it would intensify its agitation until its demand is met.
Highlighting the plight of the affected villagers of this road particularly at a stretch of 17 km, the president maintained that SAS Wilson (28) of Huishu village was brought to Ukhrul District Hospital for treatment on Nov 15 .
According to Tuithing, due to the absence of transport system in the region Wilson had to be carried on the back of his kin, but as the road condition was so deplorable the he could not be reached at the hospital in time and died on the way.
Regretting over the incident, the president recalled that such tragedy would not have occurred had there been better transport and communication facilities in the areas.
Detailing the road construction works, Tuithing disclosed that out of the total cost of the project for the 0-75 km stretch amounting to Rs 3.47 crores under CRF, Rs 1.75 crores had been released as first instalment in 2005 .
However, following an official investigation that revealed substandard of work comparing the amount of money already released, three officials of PWD Ukhrul had been suspended, he said, adding nothing precious had been done so far despite Work Minister's assurance that the road construction work would be completed by February 2008 .