Morung Express News
Kohima | May 27
Against the backdrop of the alleged fraudulent withdrawal of Rs 65 crores against three road projects in Meluri sub-division, the Kohima Bench of Gauhati High Court has granted anticipatory bails to the two persons allegedly involved in the case.
The anticipatory grant came following the filing of an FIR by the Rising People’s Party (RPP) Phek division at Meluri Police Station on April 11.
Reacting to the court granting anticipatory bail to the contractor, Lhousakuolie Metha and the engineer, Abija Khing, Lephori Village Council Chairperson, Zarpa Katiry said “this is totally unacceptable to us.”
He viewed that if the court, whom the people look upon for justice continues to grant anticipatory bail to the accused, this will encourage more people to involve in corruption in the state.
Meanwhile, the Pochury Hoho and the Pochury Hoho Kohima have strongly come out against the contractor for his “barbaric behaviour” against the village leaders.
In a condemnation note, the Hoho said that the contractor was awarded three contract works under Meluri sub-division, Phek district, namely Lephori to Molhe (26 Km), Akhen to Star Lake (15 Km) and T01 (Akash Bridge) to Kanjang (38 km) under PWD (R&B) Phek division, against which “funds have been drawn without executing the works.”
President of the Pochury Hoho, Chonpa Jurry said the people of the area have been appealing to the contractor for proper execution of works as per specification. However, it alleged that “the contractor instead of executing the works, has been threatening and intimidating the area leaders.”
Recounting instances of the contractor’s misdemeanours, it claimed that during the meeting between the contractor and public leaders held on February 23, 2020 at Lephori village, the contractor allegedly went to the extent of threatening the Pochury citizens living in Kohima. He further claimed that the same threat was repeated on October 12, 2020 and October 11, 2021 at Akhen village.
The latest incident, it stated, was on April 29, 2022 in the office chamber of the Chief Engineer (R&B) where the public leaders comprising of three village council chairpersons viz. Zarpa Katiry (VCC Lephori); Jonjang (VCC Kanjang); Wilson Katiry (VCC Matikhru) and Kezüwete Wezah of Chizami village went to lodge an official complaint against the contractor for not executing the works.
During the incident, it alleged that the contractor attempted to manhandle the leaders and threatened them with dire consequences in the presence of the Chief Engineer. “He abused the leaders verbally and called up some youths with ill motives. Fortunately, the leaders managed to escape before the youths arrived,” stated the Hoho president.
While demanding “unconditional apology” from the contractor, it stated that such attitude has no place in civilised society which warrants condemnation from all right thinking citizens and civil organisations.
The Hoho also cautioned that “in the event of any harm upon bonafide members of Pochury community in connection to the case, L Metha shall be held solely responsible and the Pochury Hoho shall take its own course of action at the appropriate platform.”
The RPP Phek unit, President, Kulupoyi Vadeo meanwhile stated that “anticipatory bail has nothing to do with public suffering,” and demanded that the concerned authority take this issue to its logical conclusion. Vadeo told The Morung Express that the party would continue to pursue the matter if the road project is not satisfactory in accordance with the provided DPR.
“We will continue to protest until and unless the road becomes a reality,” he said.
Complete all ongoing projects by this year: State Cabinet
Meanwhile, on May 25, the Nagaland State Cabinet, during a meeting, decided that all ongoing road projects in the State should be completed within the year.
The Cabinet also directed the Chief Secretary to monitor that the Common Minimum Programme of the State Government is implemented by the concerned departments and also document the achievements for the last 5 years in coordination with the Planning and Coordination Minister.
In addition, the cabinet approved two projects—upgradation of Changpang Police outpost to that of a Police Station in Wokha district; and upgradation of Seyochung Police outpost to Police Station in Kiphire district. It meanwhile deferred upgradation/creation of new administrative centres.
