Phek, February 18 (MExN): The Sohomi Village Council (SVC) and Sohomi Students' Union (SSU) has alleged “procedural lapses” in the Tizu valley hydro project and has asked concerned department to look into the matter.
The bodies a joint statement stated that “the feasibility survey on the proposed site of Tizu Valley Hydro Project under Phek district” came to the knowledge of the village only through a local daily on October 7, “wherein Sohomi village has been entirely left aside.”
It alleged that despite being the owner of the land, the village people were “totally unaware of such developmental activities until October 7,” a press release from SSU President Mudotso and General secy Divito said.
Adding that a major portion of the land falls under the jurisdiction of Sohomi village, it stated that the public of Sohomi are aware that no other villages have land rights concerning the area in which project was to be set up except for Lozaphuhu village.
It further refuted that “the people concerned have failed to consult the rightful landowner for carrying out such a major developmental activity in their land.”
The bodies then asked the department to look into the matter and “discontinue the Project for the larger interest of the public of sohomi in due course.”
“Such ignorant act on the part of the people concerned would adversely affect the future of the village folks if the project is started under such circumstance without any deal with the rightful landowner,” it expressed.
