Dimapur, MARCH 1 (MExN): The Nagaland Foothill Road Coordination Committee (NFHRCC) has termed the allegation levelled against it by the Kyong Lower Range Students Union (KLRSU) as unfounded. Reacting to the KLRSU press statement, wherein the NFHRCC was accused of favouritism, NFHRCC convenor, Supu Jamir, co-convenor Hokiye Yepthomi and assistant general secretary, Dr. PS Lorin on Saturday debunked the KLRSU statement as “baseless and concocted.”
The NFHRCC convened a meeting on March 1 in Dimapur to deliberate on the charge of favouritism. In a press conference, the NFHRCC stated that contractors, Yashitsungba Aier and P. Imty Ao were approached by the committee to take up the foothill road connectivity project “as no one from other tribes came forward” to take up the task. “Rather on the request made by the Committee, the two contractors sacrificed and took up the contract work” even though the government was yet to sanction fund for the project, it was stated.
Responding to the sub-standard work allegation levelled against P. Imty Ao of Trident Enterprise, the NFHRCC maintained “the PWD (R&B) will be the competent authority to comment on this.” According to the NFHRCC, it will in no way compromise on the quality of work. While stating that the Foothill Road Connectivity project was initiated solely for the interest of Nagaland, the NFHRCC asked the KLRSU “not to confuse the Naga public” without understanding the true intent and history of the foothill road movement. Stating that the NFHRCC is open to constructive criticism, it appealed against criticising “just for the sake of criticism.”
Hinting at behind the scene lobbying, the NFHRCC stated that members representing the Lotha sector in the NFHRCC were entrusted with the responsibility to “clarify as to who is behind the press statement... and the same be clarified... within three days so as to clear the confusion from the minds of the Naga people.”
The NFHRCC further acknowledged the road widening works executed by the Diphupar Village Council and Naga United Village to make way for the foothill road.
