Dimapur, August 9 (MExN): Reacting to the news item ‘Foot Hill Road: Rengma Hoho seeks Sumi Hoho’s intervention’ published on August 4, Hovukhu village today stated that accusing Hovukhu village of derailing the Nagaland Foothill Road Project is “rather amusing.”
A rejoinder issued by H Viniho Achumi, Head GB, Hovukhu village said that Hovukhu village had objected the original alignment of the Foothill Road project in Niuland-Rengmapani sector due to many genuine reasons and that it was done in the interest of all the stakeholders.
It explained that the village had objected the ‘Rengmapani to Old Ralan via Hovukhu’ route opted by the Nagaland Foothill Road Coordination Committee (NFHRCC) as it will outstretch the road to 17 kilometres. The alignment suggested by Hovukhu village to reach Old Ralan, the rejoinder said, is only 5 kilometres (Hovukhu to Old Ralan).
It was also pointed out that there is one SSB check post and a CRPF check post (stationed by Assam) in Rengmapani. The route which Rengma Hoho is talking about has to go past these check posts, the Head GB of Hovukhu village added.
The rejoinder also claimed that whenever there is Nagaland-Assam dispute/tension, travelers from the seven districts of Nagaland safely commute on the road suggested by Hovukhu village as they are harassed and manhandled by Assam Police and CRPF personnel while traversing through Rengmapani.
Achumi further recounted that on April 25, 2016, NFRCC had invited Hovukhu village to a meeting and requested for NOC. Accordingly, Hovukhu village gave their assent and donated the land that stretches 3 kilometres to construct the segment of the Foothill Road.
“However, Hovukhu village is now vilified due to its stand to fulfilling the true objective of ‘Naga peoples Project’, i.e. to benefit all 10 border tribes equally and ensure safety and convenience to the commuters of the Foot Hill Road,” he added.
