Contractors refute LNC charges over Barak bridge
Source: Hueiyen News Service / NNN
Imphal, May 14 2014 :
Contractors Johnny Golmei and Ningtinglung have strongly refuted the version of Liangmai Naga Council (LNC) on the Barak Bailey Bridge that appeared in local newspapers few days back.
The two contractors charged that LNC's statement is to create confusion among the public regarding construction of Bailey bridge over Barak river at Dikiuram and Katang villages under Tamei sub division in Tamenglong district.
"It is an eye opener for all and sundry particularly the Liangmei Naga Council and Liangmai Naga Katimai Ruangdi leaders and the Zeliangrong brethrens in general for having opened the Pandora's box by the leaders of LNC," the contractors said.
According to the contractors, the delay in completion of the Bridge is due to hurdles from different angles in the form of intimidations and lawlessness.
Despite Central Government's allocation of hefty amount of fund for connectivity and developmental programmes in both rural and urban areas of Manipur, the pace of construction cannot be carried out smoothly within a specified period due to either untimely delivery or non-delivery of required materials by the Department concerned.
Pathetically, many contractors are suffering untold hardships due to non-payment of bills, they said.
Whereas, considering the urgent need of opening the bridge to traffic, the concerned contractor has incurred a substantial amount of money to procure all the required materials to hasten completion of the bridge in due course of time.
However, it is quite unfortunate that instead of encouraging the contractor for the commendable work, the chairman or some leaders with vested interests are still continuing to spit venoms without knowing the pros and cons.
The contractors questioned why the LNC has been asking to hand over the bridge to the public for conveyance before the perpetrators involved in trying to dismantle the bridge are booked.
It is obvious that the leaders of the LNC have been in slumber for the past many years ever since the start of the work in 2006-07, they added.
According to the contractors, an FIR was lodged against the culprit who attempted to dismantle the bridge by removing eight pieces of bolt nuts of the newly constructed bailey suspension bridge.
Taking law into one's hand by flexing muscles or gun culture will aggravate the situation, Johnny and Ningtinglung stated.