Newmai News Network Aizawl | February 15 Two days after the bailey bridge over river Tuirini along the National Highway-150 collapsed near Sesawng village, about 45 km north of Aizawl, the Mizoram government on Thursday drew flak from the Hmar students based in Sinlung Hills Development Council (SHDC) area in northern Mizoram adjoining Manipur, which demanded reconstruction of the bridge before the rainy season starts. A press statement issued by Hmar Students’ Association (HSA), Sinlung Hills joint headquarters said the NH-150 is the life line to about 25 villages in the Hmar dominated SHDC area adjoining Manipur and the collapse of bridge will cause disruption to supply of goods and other essential commodities especially food grains. “We strong urged the state government to immediately reconstruct or repair the bailey bridge before rainy season and arrange alternative road for transportation of goods to the area as the collapse of Tuirini bridge, which totally cut-off connectivity between the entire area and city and towns, would surely cause inconvenience to the rural populace, who largely depend on city-fed or imported commodities,” the statement said. "It is crystal clear that our area would certainly face food grain crisis unless the government take alternative measures," the statement added. The student body condoled the untimely demise of Lalbiakzuala, who was killed in the bridge collapse on Tuesday and wished the injured Laltleipuia for his fast recovery. The student body further appealed to the state government to expedite the construction of National Highway-306 A, which would not only link Vairengte via Phainuam with New Vervek in northern Mizoram, but also economically benefit the entire SHDC area. Meanwhile, three opposition parties- Mizo National Front (MNF), People’s Representation for Identity and Status of Mizoram (PRISM), and Mizoram People’s Party (MPP) demanded the resignation of Mizoram PWD minister, Lalthanzara on ground of negligence of duty. A joint meeting of the three political parties on Thursday asked the state government to hoard food grains and other essential commodities in the affected area before rainy season. The meeting also asked the government to immediately re-construct the bridge out of the Rs 750 crore allocated for implementation of the New Economic Development Policy (NEDP) and also give at least Rs 10 lakh of ex-gratia to the victim family and meet all the medical expenses of the injured person.
