Francis on troubleshooting mission; Tour to Ukhrul to settle land dispute
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Choithar (Ukhrul), August 11, 2012: Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Francis Ngajokpa made a visit to Choithar village, situated about 10kms from Ukhrul town, to troubleshoot the longstanding dispute over construction of road connecting three villages and held a preliminary survey for new roads on Saturday.

Francis held an hour-long consultation with village authorities of Choithar, Khangkhui Khullen and Khangkhui Khunou to hammer out an amicable solution on the long standing dispute over alignment of road that could connect the three villages.

The Minister also inspected the PMGSY road from National Highway 150 to Choithar village.

His entourage included Chingai AC MLA MK Preshow Shimray and PMGSY chief engineer Babuchan Ningthoujam.

In the hour-long hearing held this forenoon, Minister Francis patiently listened to the case presentations of different parties that voiced varying proposals for alignment of road to link the three villages.

In the course of the deliberation, certain land owners expressed reservation against any new alignment that could affect their wet paddy fields.

Talking to the media after the hearing, Minister Francis said the villagers are in total agreement of constructing the link road, but the dispute among them is with regard to the road alignment.

To settle the long-pending dispute, the Minister noted that the alignment has to be done by making certain adjustment, and assured that the state government would try its best not to leave any parties aggrieved.

The RD & PR Minister deserved a big pat on the back for ably handling the entire situation of the meeting of the three villages' representatives - that witnessed sharp differences, specially between two villages.

In the PMGSY phase 8, Minister Francis informed that the road connecting Khangkhui Khunuo from BRTF Kamjong road would be constructed and State government would also make all efforts to link both the Nungshong villages (Khullen and Khunuo) in the areas.

Later after the meeting with the RD & PR Minister, there was a commotion among the village authorities as the rift arises in their opinions over road alignment while the press briefing was taking place inside a room.

Just before his departure from the village, Minister Francis announced to the gathering crowd of three villages that the link road in the areas would be definitely taken up but steadfastly made it clear that there is no provision for land compensation in PMGSY.

In the last three months, the RD & PR Minister has made a record by visiting Ukhrul district and inspecting various developments for three times - a feat that was never experienced by public in the last known years.

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