Dimapur, March 19 (MExN): The Rising People’s Party has said that the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) government should create appropriate budgetary allocations for critical sectors in the districts of Eastern Nagaland during the ongoing Assembly session.
Stating this in a press release on Saturday, the RPP said that it had made several observations during its ongoing ‘Walkathon’ around the state. “Even as the Walkathon is yet to be completed, the observation of the RPP is that there is no governance in the state, especially in eastern Nagaland area. In short, the state government’s machinery is basically confined to Dimapur and Kohima areas only,” it added.
Underscoring a number of issues in the areas under Eastern Nagaland, the RPP said that the national highway connecting Shamator and Tuensang districts has remained cut off since 2018 due to landslide creating undue hardship for commuters and transporters. “The landslide area covering approximately 500 metres should be either repaired or an alternative bridge over Yaye River be constructed immediately,” it said.
“The distance between Tamlu sub-division and Longleng town under Longleng district is approximately 65 km. Yet there’s virtually no connectivity between the two places,” it said while adding that the lack of connectivity should be rectified immediately.
The RPP also pointed out that the ancient Humlam road (Salt Road) covering Wakching - Chingdang - Chinglong - Aboi should be constructed and black topped through which salt used to be procured from Assam and supplied to Konyak areas and beyond, should be constructed and black-topped.
“It's important that the UDA government recognise the historical importance of this route,” it added.
It also pointed out that the Hurongki Mini-Hydel Project over Yaye River under Shamator district, which was constructed in 1986, was completed decades back but has not been commissioned “for reasons best known to the government.”
Stating that the machines and turbines have been wasted over the years, it said that the project should be commissioned, after necessary investment.
Along with this, the RPP said that the full force of Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) should be implemented in both Wakching Town and Wakching Village. “Both town and village are bereft of water and it's unbelievable that for years the situation has remained unchanged. It's unacceptable that while villages in and around Dimapur are benefitting from the JJM project, Wakching/Tamlu/eastern Nagaland is suffering,” it said.
Further, the RPP stated that the state government should set up a college in Aboi sub-division under Mon district to cater to the higher education needs of the place, which it said, “is probably the fastest growing town in Nagaland today.”
There are about 11 schools including one higher secondary school in the entire sub-division, it said.
Meanwhile, the party said that Aboi and Tobu deserve to be upgraded to districts, stating: “If for administrative convenience Chümoukedima district can be created, there's no reason for Aboi and Tobu people to suffer.”
