Villagers organise sit in protest over road diversion at T/Khullen
Source: The Sangai Express

Senapati, January 29 2021: Pressing the Govt and authority concerned to maintain the original road alignment in the Trans-Asian Highway-1 expansion, locals of several villages from Tumuyon Khullen to Tumnoupokpi organised a mass sit-in protest against the diversion of the said road from its original alignment on January 27 .

The mass sit-in was held at Tumuyon Khullen.

It served the Government an ultimatum to honour their appeal by February 5 .

A joint action committee (JAC) formed in connection with the issue stated that the long cherished dream of the people had come true when the Trans-Asian Highway which would connect 32 countries travelling though the area had materialised.

The people of the areas had this great euphoric sense in witnessing the materialisation of the Trans-Asian Highway in their area.

However, due to vested interest of some individuals/organizations, the original proposed alignment of the Trans-Asian Highway (four lanes) has been manipulated in Kangpokpi district, said a statement of the JAC.

According to the JAC, the original alignment is stated to have a diversion route of about 2 km east of NH-2 which connects at the heart of Daili Village.

However, to their amazement, the recent Google map shows the diversion being made at Kalapahar towards the western side by about 7.5 km which is "totally against the wishes of the people", the JAC mentioned.

It may be noted that the chairmen of all the villages along the route had earlier submitted a petition to MP (Lok Sabha), Chief Minister, MLA, 51-Saitu Assembly Constituency, Managing Director, NHIDCL, Executive Director, NHIDCL and DC, Kangpokpi urging them to intervene and maintain the original road alignment with respect to the National Highway Authority of India's Trans Asian Highway-1 expansion.

The petition had mentioned that the diversion without the knowledge of the people was done at the behest of some individuals/organizations with vested interest and could disturb the peace in the region.

They stated that people of villages along the route mainly depend on the road for their livelihood.

The road facilitates trade, transport, social integration and economic development.

Several banners and placards opposing the diversion were held during the protest.

Briefing media persons, the JAC's convenor stated that the original surveyed route had about only 2 km stretch diversion while it has been elongated to 7.5 km in the newly proposed route.

Failing to address the plight of the people by February 5 will attract various forms of democratic agitation and the Government shall bear the sole responsibility for any eventualities, said the JAC.

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