NC Hills Indigenous Students’ body threatens intensive stir against NHAI

A Correspondent

Haflong: The NC Hills Indigenous Students’ Forum along with affected people of 52 villages from Mahur to Harangajao have threatened stronger agitation soon as the National Highways Authority of India has failed time and again to fulfill their promise of paying compensation and also the completion of the portion from Nriam Banglo to Harangajao of NH 54 E.

The NC Hills Indigenous Students’ Forum had been raising various issues of the district with regard to NH-54 E, like dumping compensation, land and dwelling houses affected compensation, approach roads, Mahur town road and bridge and beautification of Jatinga top-down bridge.

In response to the appeal by NC Hills Indigenous Students’ Forum (NCHISF), Raj Chakrabarty, the then Chief General Mager of NHAI, North-East Region Guwahati, had visited Dima Hasao for inspection of Jatinga-Harangajao portion of NH-54 (E). Chakrabarty, along with NCHISF president David Keivom, had inspected the most critical portion between Jatinga and Harangajao and instructed NHAI officials to take immediate steps for maintenance of the road, at least up to Harangajao.

After the inspection, the CGM had also given assurance that maintenance works of Jatinga-Harangajao road would be started soon, which would bring much relief to the people of Dima Hasao as well as of Barak Valley because this road is considered the lifeline of entire southern Assam.

Recently Regional Officer Alok Kumar, in a meeting with the NCHISF leaders, also promised to fulfill their demand by December but nothing had come up till date. The people of Dima Hasao and the members of NCHISF are of the opinion that there might be clandestine nexus between NHAI officials and contractors engaged for the construction for this portion.

Ringa Hmar of Harangajao, while talking to this correspondent, said, “How long will the people of Dima Hasao have to wait for a good road? They have sacrificed a lot in the name ‘Mahasarak’ which has become a distant dream for them. The officials, particularly of NHAI, are well versed in fooling the innocent people but this time the tolerance of the public has crossed the limit.”

Devid Keivom, president of NCHISF, said that the maintenance work should be done in this working season. He categorically demanded a CBI enquiry against the NHAI and also the construction company engaged for the construction or for the maintenance.

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