Longrangty Longchar
Dimapur | January 15
When the Vellore-based Christian Medical College took over the development project of Referral Hospital, now christened Christian Institute of Health Sciences and Research (CIHSR), they had little idea of the big shock they were in for. Even after more than eight months since developmental works commenced completion seems a far cry – thanks to the rampant encroachment and vandalism of the institute’s land and properties by people from the surrounding areas.
The Morung Express was taken on a tour by S Varadharajan, Administrative Officer, to witness unprecedented ‘marks’ of vandalism and encroachment. While most of the encroachers have vacated the area after the Deputy Commissioner of Dimapur issued an order directing the encroachers to leave, the damage is stark. For instance a major part of the area’s wall has collapsed, creating a gap of about seventy meters in length. When queried whether they plan to bring up a wall, the administrative officer said that people living outside the wall are preventing construction of one. He said the matter is now with the district administration.
When contacted, Dimapur Deputy Commissioner KN Ngullie made clear that encroachers will be evicted and a wall will be erected. Saying that the eviction order issued by the district administration has expired, he said encroachers will be evicted by force on January 16.
Besides encroachment, acts of vandalism no visitor can pass without noticing the damage to the hospital. The once-completed Laboratory Block which about to be functional is now, in the words of Varadharajan, a victim. “This building is a living example of vandalism”, said the Administrative Officer as he pointed to the vandalized multi-Crore laboratory where air conditioners, special-echo supporting ceilings and electric wiring have either been stolen or damaged beyond repair. Further, the building which was envisaged to be the main research building needs to be overhauled completely. This one is has been reserved for development for the second phase, he said. The building is presently housing laborers and security personnel.
Besides damage to the building, the administrative officer said people cut trees inside the area “which is very bad”. He said CMC discourages cutting of trees not only because it spoils the scenery and the air around but also because it takes ‘many years for a tree to grow’. The administrative officer also said people breach the wall and steal building materials and other items.
S Varadharajan admitted that the encroachers and thieves could not be controlled. For this, authorities approached the district administration, which was obliged by issuing the eviction order. The CIHSR official also informed that there are only thirteen security personnel who are doing their best to man the gates and help workers in times of trouble.
The encroachers are mostly work charge employees who were under the State Public Works Department. S Varadharajan said they were allowed to stay inside the area since they were engaged in the development works of the hospital. But after the hospital was handed over to CMC, the once-government employees were left with no job and a place to live. One family which could not move out because of incompletion of their house in another location said they have lived in the area for ‘eleven years’ as the husband was employed as a work-charge employee with the PWD. They however agreed to move out ‘since it was governments land’.
