Rockslides: Dist admin, contractors draw flak for ignoring warnings

TYOD demands enquiry, compensation

Dimapur, September 20 (MExN): The Tenyimi Youth Organization of Dimapur (TYOD) on Sunday took strong exception to the rock slides, blockage of National Highway and damage caused near Patkai bridge in Chümoukedima. The organisation also sought compensation for the damage caused.

In a letter to the Dimapur Deputy Commissioner (DC), the TYOD referred to the representation submitted earlier on March 6 with regard to the four lane construction company/contractors particularly at the hill section of Chümoukedima. In the letter, the TYOD had warned about the area where landmine was used to break/blast the sandstone.

TYOD said that it had also warned the concerned construction company through the DC’s office that carrying out landmine explosion besides the old road of the National Highway would result in blockage of the NH and further endanger the life of the commuters.

It added that the surface cutting for widening the road is to be done from top to bottom and not from bottom to top. But the construction company/ contractors have grievously put the public life at high risk, “just to save time and energy,” it alleged.

The unfortunate rock slide which damaged the Nagaland welcome gate and the vehicles damaged in the past few days are therefore the handiwork of the construction company, the TYOD said.

It condemned the company and the engineer as well as the district administration for overlooking the matter though it had been brought to their knowledge earlier.

Hence, TYOD demanded an enquiry into the matter by the District administration at the earliest and asked for the findings to be made public.

“Else the organization shall not remain a silent spectator for playing with public life on the cover of development,” it warned.

The organisation also urged the company to release compensation for the damage caused to individual as well as public property without delay.

In case of failure to take corrective measures, the TYOD cautioned that the concerned construction company/contractors, the engineer and the district administration would solely bear the responsibility for any untoward incident.