Tseminyu, November 3 (MExN): Just after the Kandi Public Union’s bandh on NH-2 over construction of BDO office building under RD Block Chunlikha, Kithagha Public Organization (KPO) has highlighted the controversy surrounding the site for the building.
In a press release, KPO through its president, Dr. Khanlo Magh and general secretary, Zukeya Woch questioned how the work order for construction of the building was issued “when the controversy on selection of site is yet to be resolved” and “on what grounds an amount of Rs 7 lakh was released to the contractor without any sign of work being executed.”
It recollected that Chunlikha being the centre and headquarters of the Northern Rengmas, proposal for creation of the RD Block was made and accordingly the Cabinet approved for creation of RD Block Chunlikha.
According to the press release, a meeting of the constituent villages was held on February 24, 2012 in connection with selection of site for RD Block Chunlikha, but a consensus could not be arrived at due to differences of opinion. Hence, the Kithagha Villages’ Councils requested the government/department to postpone the inaugural programme, in view of disagreement on site selection.
“However, some leaders with vested interests politicized the issue and the foundation stone was laid forcefully at the controversial site against the will of the host villages - the Kithagha group,” it alleged. Owing to these circumstances, the Kithagha and Tesophenyu groups staged a protest rally during the inaugural day on February 29, 2012 along NH-2 at Chunlikha headquarters and boycotted the foundation-stone laying ceremony at Tsonsa Ketizhü “to show displeasure and opposition against the divisive policy,” it added.
KPO mentioned that a prime land measuring 3 acres located around 300 metres away from NH-2 at Chunlikha was made readily available to the RD department through a deed of agreement (affidavit) for construction of permanent RD Block office building. Accordingly, the sanctioned post of Gr-IV against RD Block Office Chunlikha was awarded to the rightful land donor by the department, it said.
The office of BDO Chunlikha continues to function “smoothly and peacefully” at the temporary office at VDB multi-purpose building, Chunlikha since its establishment; however, with the general elections approaching, “it is observed that some people with vested interests have brought back the issue alive for political mileage disturbing the peaceful existence of not only the RD block but also its functioning,” KPO alleged.
Pointing out that the RD Block Chunlikha consists of 13 villages with three groups/ stakeholders, namely, Tesophenyu group (4 villages), Kithagha group (3 villages), and Kandi group (6 villages), it expressed surprise why one group has suddenly started staking claim for construction of the said RD Block building at the controversial inaugural site.
“Whereas, the RD Block Chunlikha was approved by the government and is clearly viable at Chunlikha, the question of shifting it to Tsonsa village does not arise at all unless it is guided by ulterior motives,” the release maintained.
In light of this, KPO stated that “organizing of bandhs/agitations and creating inconvenience to the public in general; creating confusion and disturbing the smooth functioning of the government at this juncture is felt to be unfortunate and uncalled for.”
