KOHIMA, JULY 17 (MExN): Leader of the NPF Legislature Party Leader Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu today said that while much has been said and discussed, but so far the National Highway & Infrastructure Development Cooperation Limited (NHIDCL) group has not provided any remedial action or guarantees for the safety of public life, even after the July 4 tragedy that caused the rock fall at New Chümoukedima (Kohima-Dimapur four lanes) where two lives were lost.
He urged the State Government to immediately launch an independent inquiry committee into the work performance that led to the tragic deaths on July 4. “Depending on who is responsible, NHIDCL or the contractor, should be punished accordingly,” he said. Azo said that the Naga People's Front (NPF) party would be compelled to drag both the Contractor and the NHIDCL to the public Court in order to save lives if justice is not delivered at the earliest.
A press release from the NPF leader said that as early as the July 4 incident, the Nagaland Pollution Control Board made prior repeated requests and warnings to the group company about the safety measures and destructive environment caused by the unsafe cuttings of the earth for the construction of the four-lane road. However, it said that the NHIDCL did not respond to the incident and turned deaf ear claiming the tragic incident as a natural disaster.
“It was very unfortunate on the NHIDCL's part to blame the state government for not providing the necessary land for the road's construction as it is understandable even to the layman that it can be dangerous when such cuts are made on steep slopes,” Azo said.
He noted that even the state government has rightly pointed out that blowing up dynamite and the way the earth was cut up is unprofessional. “How come, then, that the NHIDCL is calling its negligence a natural disaster?” he questioned.
Further, the NPF leader stated that human lives are precious, and the NHIDCL cannot fool the Naga public with its “lackadaisical attitude.” He also asked the NHIDCL to immediately stand up for the safety of the people, as many unsettled rocks have multiple cracks on the mountain layers, which allows for more tragedies to happen at any time as rock falling is continuing till date along the stretch.
