Dimapur, July 11 (MExN): Expressing anguish over “tragic and civic disaster” due to collapse of the bridge near Referral Hospital, Dimapur, the ACAUT Nagaland today demanded the immediate sacking of “Minister, Roads & Bridges, Vikheho Swu” for the disaster.
Citing an FIR filed at the Diphupar PS by the ACAUT on July 11, the ACAUT asked the police to immediately arrest the Minister, Roads & Bridges, the Executive Engineer (PWD), Dimapur division, the sand and gravel mafia including the contractors, and the concerned village council authorities allowing stone quarrying on the riverbed. “Immediately set up a High Powered Independent Inquiry Committee comprising of members of the public to probe the collapse of the bridge,” it demanded.
Expressing extreme anguish over the tragic loss of lives, ACAUT asserted that the disaster occurred due to “sheer negligence and corruption on the part of the P.W.D (R&B) Dept, the Government of Nagaland and the failure of the District administration to supervise the riverbeds.”
It further claimed that the bridge has been declared a “public hazard for a long time.” “The concerned authorities have been alerted on numerous occasions and were aware about the precarious condition of the bridge but did nothing about it.” It would have been avoided if the concerned authorities had taken serious note and initiated corrective measures, ACAUT added.
This should serve as a wake-up call for the Department and the Government of Nagaland to take serious note of public safety hazards, said the statement.
NAGBA condemns ‘lackadaisical attitude’
In a separate statement, the Niuland Area GBs Association (NAGBA) expressed pain over the “unfortunate breakage” of the bridge. The association maintained it had been imploring time and again to various authorities concerned for immediate need of repairing the bridge. “Such unfortunate incident could have been prevented if only the authorities concerned could have heeded people’s prayers on time,” stated Vikheyi Zhimomi, president, NAGBA.
Condemning the “lackadaisical attitude” of the Government in “utterly failing to address such important concern for all the people,” it urged the Government to immediately initiate alternative arrangement for the bridge, which is the main thoroughfare of the people. At the same time, it mentioned that on the same road leading to Niuland sub-division, all the existing small bridges and culverts are either broken or in a dilapidated conditions. Unless these bridges and culverts are immediately repaired, such unfortunate incidents may happen any time, it cautioned.
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