Start NH-102A work or face stir: Hunphun bodies to Govt
Source: Chronicle News Service / R Lester Makang
Ukhrul, March 08 2024:
Hunphun Village Authority along with Hunphun NH-102A Committee, Hunphun Executive Council (HEC), Hunphun Shanao Long (HSL), Hunphun Katamnao Long (HKL) and All Hunphun Tang Association (AHTA) have appealed to authorities concerned to ensure commencement of the long-pending expansion of the proposed NH-102A (Package 1) passing through the heart of Ukhrul town without further delay.
Speaking during a press conference at the Hunphun VA court office, Awungtang on Friday, Hunphun headman HA Khayaiwo recounted that the Village Authority and Hunphun CSOs had repeatedly apprised authorities concerned of the collective stand and wish of the people of Hunphun village and Ukhrul town, with the latest being memorandum submitted to CM N Biren during his visit to Ukhrul town to attend a cabinet meeting on August 18, 2023.However, the state government seemed to have ignored the voices of the people, leading to inordinate delay in the proposed work, he lamented.
Our demand is clear: We want development/expansion of the proposed NH-102A to take place as per the original plan and not shift it anywhere else," he said and urged the authorities concerned to take up prompt necessary steps to, expedite the process for commencement of the work in right earnest.
Khayaiwo further cautioned that stern actions would be initiated against any individuals or private parties who work against the interests of the general public and cause disruption to the proposed project.
Expressing the same sentiment, Hunphun NH-102A Committee convenor Khayui Raleng pointed out that the DPR for the proposed NH-102A (Package 1) was approved back in 2017 but the work got delayed due to apathy by the authorities concerned.
He said that the proposed NH-102A which covers just 7 km, is a centrally-sponsored project and there should be no dearth of funds to pay for compensation or other requirements.
On the flimsy ground of fund paucity, the authorities cannot shift the project elsewhere where spending on compensation could be less, he said.
The proposed project is not just in the interests of Hunphun people but of the entire Ukhrul town population and not fulfilling the wish of the local residents would be a big affront to the entire community, Raleng said.
"We are not against the construction of any bypass road connectivity anywhere but our stand is to first fulfil the proposed NH-1102A project on a priority basis," he said.
Raleng reiterated that Ukhrul district headquarters is for all the town residents but Hunphun being the ancestral and customary landowners, the village has constitutional rights under Article 371C to assert its position in any development activities under its jurisdiction.
"As such, no individuals or private property owners within the stretch of the main town areas to be affected by the proposed project would be allowed to manipulate and jeopardize development," he added.
Representatives from Hunphun Executive Council (HEC), Hunphun Shanao Long (HSL), Hunphun Katamnao Long (HKL) and All Hunphun Tang Association (AHTA) also attended the press conference.