Dimapur, August 31 (MExN): A total of 13 Tribal Hohos and organisations in Nagaland, in a joint representation, have urged the Union Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) to empanel the Nagaland Foothills Road Coordination Committee (NFHRCC) as a watchdog for the construction of the Foothills Road project, also known as the Trans-Nagaland Highway.
The representation to the Secretary, MoRTH, was made based on a 5-Point Resolution passed during a joint consultative meeting of the Committee with Nagaland Tribal Apex Hohos and Dimapur-based Tribal Hohos on August 29 in Dimapur.
Among other points, the Hohos highlighted that the Government of Nagaland had attempted twice to construct the Foothills Road in 1974 and 1993, respectively, without success.
Accordingly, in 2013, the Apex Tribal Hohos constituted the NFHRCC and fully endorsed the Committee to look after the affairs of the Foothills Road construction, and consequently, it is called an “Extra-ordinary or People's Project,” the representation added.
As endorsed, the Committee had negotiated with landowners to sacrifice their land without any compensation and further arrived at an understanding with the NNPGs (Naga National Political Group) not to levy any taxation with regard to the Foothills Road construction, the representation underscored.
Since then, the Committee has been fully supervising and monitoring the project for the last 13 years in close coordination with the concerned department, it maintained.
The Hohos further pointed to the special provision granted to the State of Nagaland under Article 371(A) of the Indian Constitution, primarily safeguarding the State’s unique social and religious practices, customary laws, and land ownership.
“In view of this, we hereby fully assure that RoW (Right of Way) will be made available to your esteemed authority once the Committee is officially empanelled,” it added.
In this connection, the representation appealed to MoRTH to officially empanel the NFHRCC to supervise the project as a watchdog to “maintain workmanship, ensure transparency, and complete the project within the specified timeframe.”
The joint representation was appended by representatives of Ao Senden, Chang Khulei Setshang, Khiamniungan Tribal Council, Konyak Union, Kuki Inpi Nagaland, Lotha Hoho, Nagaland Zeliang People’s Organisation, Northern Sumi Community Dimapur, Phom Peoples' Council, Rengma Hoho, Tikhir Tribal Council, United Sangtam Likhum Pumji, and Yimkhuing Tribal Council.
Other resolutions
Meanwhile, the 5-Point Resolution adopted at the August 29 joint consultative meeting reiterated the endorsement of the Apex Nagaland Tribal Hohos for the NFHRCC, emphasising that the Committee must remain involved with the project until this “noble initiative” is fully accomplished.
The resolution also addressed “all misconceptions and misunderstandings” about the Committee and the project, noting that the Trans-Nagaland Highway and the Foothills Road are one and the same project.
Regarding the project, the meeting further resolved that there is no distinction between landowners and non-landowners, as the road belongs to the entire Naga family.
“Therefore, no authority is authorised to pursue a divide-and-rule approach among the Naga family through this People's Road,” the resolution added.
