Phek, March 23 (MExN): The village councils of three villages under Phek district - Kotisu, Tuzatse and Kizari on Wednesday said that it had “no further issues or objections” towards the Tizu-Valley Hydro Electric Project.
Earlier on January 30 this year, the three village councils had appealed the State Government to shift the proposed Tizu River Hydro Project to a site above the Tizu River and Tuzaru junction, in grounds that the villages were not informed of the possible extend of damages and assessment from the proposed project.
The main concern was that the project could affect the terrace paddy fields in the valley which it said, was the sole main breadwinning source for the three villages, it had stated at the time.
However, a joint press release from the three village councils on Wednesday clarified that it was not against any form of development activities. “It was just about clearing our doubt that had occurred because of some communication gaps since in rural areas like ours, paddy fields are our main means of subsistence and we have reasons to be worried,” it said.
In this connection, it said that after the verification of various social issues and project technicalities by the department on March 3 during a meeting in the office of the Engineer-in-Chief convened by the Chief Engineer(T&G) and further spot verification from March 15 to 17, “All our apprehensions are cleared and we have no further issues or objections towards the said project.”
The meeting and spot verification were conducted in the presence of the Department officials, all leaders and presidents of the five landowner villages (Lozaphuhu, Sohomi, Kotisu, Tuzatse and Kizari) and the Chakhesang Public Organisation.
The three villages also conveyed gratitude to the Chief Engineer (T&G) and officials of the Department and the CPO President for taking the trouble to meet them and clear their apprehensions. “We also request the concerned authority to expedite the work while wishing the Project a grand success,” the release stated.
