DIMAPUR, MAY 17 (MExN): The Western Sumi Hoho and the Dimapur Ao Youth Organization today expressed its support to the call for the construction of a ‘Foothill Road’ in Nagaland, which has been demanded by various organizations like the Ao Senden Telongjem Dimapur, the Central Nagaland Tribal Council, Ao Senden etc. A press note by the General Secretary of the Western Sumi Hoho, H Viyiho Swu stated that the construction of a foothill road would make transport and communication between the northern and southern part of Nagaland better and will help bring the Naga people closer.
It said, “There are hardships faced by the people of our state while journeying for any important office work or for medical purposes.” The WSH added that passing through other states to enter a different part of Nagaland “becomes difficult during tense situations.” While stating that Kohima and Dimapur are “not totally devoid of bad roads,” the WSH added that the people of Mon, Longleng, Wokha, Mokokchung and Zunheboto “have to spend more money and time to avail the basic facilities.”
Citing the central government’s initiative to create the east-west and the north-south corridors in the country, the WSH stated that Nagaland government should also plan for such a project in uplifting the welfare of the people. It lamented that even after fifty years of statehood, “the government has to be reminded of the hardships faced by the people themselves.” The WSH urged the government to be responsible to the needs of the people and to consider in seriousness the construction of the ‘Foothill Road’ that will connect Dimapur to Wokha, Mokokchung, Longleng, Mon and Zunheboto.
The Dimapur Ao Youth Organization has also extended its support for the foothill. A press note by the President of the DAYO, K Longri Imchen and the Assistant General Secretary of the DAYO, Meyatoba stated that the government should assign top priority to the project and added that it would facilitate the economic development and easy movement for commuters. “It will connect the Dimapur rail head with other districts when the road becomes operational,” it added.
The DAYO also claimed that the road would ease the “ever present threat of harassment faced by the commuters, road blocks or the bandhs imposed in the state of Assam.” It further claimed that the completion of the road would “strengthen development as well as generate employment for the educated unemployed youth in the state.”
