Dimapur, February 15 (MExN): Following the recent press statements issued in the local media by individuals, groups and organisations to the Eastern Naga Students’ Federation (ENSF), the Federation has called to “spot-verify the 1st phase contract site of NH-155 under ENSF jurisdiction on February 19, 2010 at Tuensang Division and on February 20 at Kiphire division along with the ENSF officials.” ENSF general secretary, Changsang Soted in a press release stated that ‘the recent press statements by certain individuals, groups and organisation to the ENSF stand without proper verification and thoughts need condemnation in genuine development loving society and un-conditional apology by the Federation in un-called for and fair judgement will be expedited on the spot.”
The Federation has invited ‘any government representative from Chief Secretary Office and Commissioner & Secretary Office (NPWD), Nagaland, Chief Secretary (Highway), Nagaland, Executive Engineer (Highway) of Tuensang/Kiphire division, ENPO, ENWO, ENPUK officials, CKS, YTC, USLB, KTV officials, YAA, CCSU, KSU, USSC, KSU, PSC officials, NCSU officials and NCSU Unit officials of Tuensang, Mon, Kiphire, Longleng, all the site engineer whose names are published in the local dailies, KYO officials and any individual/organisation/well-wishers.’
“Any individuals/groups/organisations who opposed the ENSF stand in local dailies, failing to attend the same will bore the entire development negligence of the Eastern Naga.” The release also added that ‘any situation or problems arising out of the issue will be in their own risk and the Federation should not be held responsible.”
Meanwhile, the ENSF has informed that the “outside team” will be received at 55 KM-60 KM (Mengaki) under Tuensang division at 10:30 AM sharp. The E.E (H) of Tuensang/Kiphire division, site engineers are also requested to bring all the required documents without fail. It further informed that the ENSF officials will facilitate the Central government representative and media fraternity to effectively very and cover the occasion.
The ENSF has also given out details of the issue of ‘blacklisting’. According to the release, initially the general public of the Eastern Nagaland approved the government’s decision to hand-over NH-155 to NPWD from BRO which created situations especially in Kiphire division. However, with the intervention by the public and the government, the matter was resolved and a memorandum was submitted on June 13, 2008, addressing the concerned Chief Engineer, PWD (R&B) basing on which the Federation agreed to the Government’s decision to hand over NH-155 to NPWD. The ENSF also assured full co-operation to the authority concerned and the contractors for the better development of the region but with condition that failure to comply with the contract norms, the Federation shall with draw its co-operation.
As per the decision arrived during ENSF Federal Assembly on September 8, 2009, the Federation spot-verified the 1st phase contract work of NH-155 under ENSF jurisdiction and consequently a consultative meeting with the contractors and concerned department was convened at ENSF HQ Office Tuensang on September 22, 2009 seeing the poor workmanship which was published at local dailies. None of the concerned contractors attended the meeting and deputed only their site in-charges, wherein November 30, 2009 was earmarked as the dateline for completion of the 1st phase contract work after thorough deliberation. Again seeing the poor workmanship after the expiry of the 1st dateline (November 30, 2009), the ENSF called the contractor(s) and concerned department for 2nd consultative review meeting on December 1, 2009 but the contractors again failed to attend, deputing only their in-charges. At the meeting the House decided to extend the dateline for completion and improvement of the 1st Phase Contract to January 20, 2010 as per their request and intimation letter was also served to all the respective contractors to blacklist if they failed to adhere to the contract norms. After the expiry of the 2nd dateline, the ENSF again spot-verified the worksite and were dismayed over the stagnant workmanship which prompted the Federation to rake the drastic step of blacklisting in the interest of the Eastern Naga people.
“The step was taken after thorough appeal, request, notification and verification, served and initiated by the apex student organisation of the six tribes of the four districts of Nagaland and therefore the question of instigation by vested individuals does not arise,” the ENSF further stated.
