Dimapur, June 15 (MExN): The leaders of Kamaleah Area Village Councils (KAVC) on June 15 reiterated and affirmed the alleged ‘manhandling’ of some of its members by a contractor on April 29 and accused the Engineer-in-Chief NPWD of “deliberate attempt to shield the contractor.”
In a rejoinder to the June 2 clarification by the Engineer-in-Chief Nagaland Public Works Department (Road & Bridges) Er Kahuli Sema regarding the alleged ‘manhandling’, the chairmen of 3 VCs under KAVC –Kanjang, Lephori and Matikhrü - accused the former of “conveniently distorting some facts” while narrating the sequential event.
Giving a background of the incident, the VCs chairmen noted that pertinent issue is that 3 road project works amounting to Rs 94.42 crore in Kamaleah Area under Meluri Sub-Division, Phek were awarded to contractor Lhuosakuolie Metha.
Work orders of two projects were issued in the year 2011 and were meant to be completed within 24 months, it said.
“Without executing any work, Completion Certificate was issued to the contractor by the E.E PWD (R&B) Phek vide date 21/01/2014. The third Work Order was issued in the year 2017, meant to be completed within 18 months. Till date the works have been left incomplete,” it alleged.
Given these facts, the Chief Engineer is expected to take necessary action against the erring contractor and officers concerned for such delay in execution and completion of works, it maintained.
However, it alleged that when the leaders of the 3 villages went to meet the chief engineer on April 29, the contractor appeared in the office chamber at about 8PM and “immediately started threatening and manhandling/abusing the undersigned village council leaders.”
“The chief engineer rather than reprimanding the contractor for failing to execute and complete the projects, was in fact trying to convince the village leaders by advocating the excuses made by the contractor,” it added.
Accordingly, VC chairmen of the three villages reiterated with “Almighty God as the living witness” that the villagers were threatened and manhandled.
In must be noted here that the Pochury Hoho on May 28 had charged the contractor of not executing the contract works and threatening and intimidating the area leaders.
The NPWD clarification on June 2 was in response to the allegations.
