Wokha, September 20 (MExN): The Joint Action Committee (JAC), formed with representations from various bodies within Wokha village, today issued on “final ultimatum” to the Deputy Commissioner Wohka and the TTC Infra India to start remaining works of ongoing National Highway-2 two-lane construction (KM 72.40 to KM 83) in Wokha district within 72 hours.
However, it further stated that the remaining works would be allowed to proceed only after rectification of discrepancies identified in all the 106 locations in JAC’s previous representations.
The JAC also asked the duo to properly demarcate and designate those lands already compensated but left untouched by ongoing construction in the said stretch as “government/department properties.”
“Failing this, we shall be compelled to take our own course(s) of action(s) for which DC Wokha and TTC Infra India shall be held squarely responsible for any eventualities,” stated a press release from Chibenthung P Kikon, JAC Convenor & President Wokha Village Youth Organisation (WVYO) and Echungthung Murry, Member Secretary, JAC & General Secretary WVYO.
Giving a sequence of events to back its ultimatum, the JAC maintained that the WVYO took the initiative of voicing out the grievances of the general public after observation and detection of many discrepancies in execution of works in the said NH-2 stretch.
Among others, on 6/4/2023, WVYO in a representation pointed out that “illegal properties/structures erected after payment of compensation should be demolished/confiscated by the authorities and appropriate action be taken against errant landowners as per the law”.
On 15/5/2023, in a joint representation submitted to DC Wokha by WVYO Action Committee, Wokha Village Council, Wokha Village Eloe Hoho, Wokha Village, Wokha Village Students’ Union, and Wokha Village Elders’ Forum, several substandard works being undertaken in the ongoing work were pointed out and it called for joint inspection and verification to address the issue.
On 23/5/2023, discrepancies indentified during joint inspection by district administration, PWD (NH) officials, TTC Infra Company, line departments, and action committee of Wokha village” was also submitted to DC Wokha.
Stating that some beneficiaries, after receiving substantial compensation, have constructed structures dangerously close to or encroaching upon the pavement, while several compensated lands remained untouched, bringing the validity and integrity of the compensation process into question, the representation, also urged the authorities to “take swift action to remove these encroachments (106 locations) within the ROW within the next 20 days.”
On 2/6/2023, the JAC submitted another representation stating that any “attempts to modify or rectify these 106 locations without our explicit knowledge or consent will be regarded as a discrediting act.”
With no positive response after the lapse of the ultimatum, the JAC announced its intention “to impose indefinite bandh along NH-2 within Wokha” starting on June 20, 2023 with demands including redressal of all 106 marked discrepancies; rectification of the pavement alignments, drainages and all substandard retaining walls etc by contractor, and examination of “alarming discrepancy” in distribution of compensation.
Following this, DC Wokha convened on June 19. According to JAC, at the meeting, the DC Wokha and Executive Engineer PW (NH) Wokha Division in a written assurance stated “the PWD (NH) department and District Administration Wokha assured to continue to carry out eviction drive to address the issues pertaining to 106 locations” within a set a timeframe of 15 days for completion of the drive.”
Thus, the JAC called off the proposed bandh. “It is now left to the wisdom of all concerned to reason out as to whether the 15 days timeframe for completion of the drive as assured by the authorities concerned have been adhered to or not,” the JAC stated.
Meanwhile, TTC Infra India in a letter dated August 10, wrote to JAC stating that saying the ongoing work “is not being executed with full swing” due to rains and labour shortages and assured to resume the same in full swing after the rainy season.
However, implying that the works have not been resumed, the JAC stated due to lack of seriousness on the part of authorities concerned to address the genuine concerns of the public of Wokha district, it is issuing the final ultimatum.
