Ten tribe Hohos affirm NFHRCC stand

The ten tribe Hohos backing the construction of the Foothill Road have reaffirmed to stand by the Nagaland Foothill Road Coordination Committee (NFHRCC). Representatives from the tribe Hohos of the Konyak, Yimchunger, Khiamniungan, Phom, Sangtam, Chang, Ao, Sema, Lotha (Kyong) and Rengma tribes along with the NFHRCC convened in Dimapur on March 19 to deliberate and decide on the ‘contract’ imbroglio that has gripped the Foothill Road Connectivity project. The Lotha Hoho, Dimapur and the Lotha Lower Range Public Organisation represented the Wokha sector at the conclave regarded as crucial to the survival and completion of the foothill road.

The Kyong Hoho abstained from the conclave but a message was received midway into the meeting stating that the Kyong Hoho executive body decided not to attend. The brief message further stated that it has no problem with the NFHRCC.  

After a five-hour long discussion, the conclave came up with a 12-point resolution asserting the stand of the tribe apex bodies and the NFHRCC. The resolutions sought to clear the controversy surrounding the award of work contract and reaffirmed the NFHRCC’s stand that the project cannot be, and will not be, ‘politicized’ in any manner, while maintaining that any attempt to do so will not be tolerated.

On the statements claiming that there was no “competent contractors from the Lotha tribe,” the conclave clarified that it was a result of “statements made by the Lotha representatives” and not the NFHRCC. Stating that the NFHRCC was a mandated body of the ten Hohos, the conclave cautioned against undermining the dignity of the Committee; while maintaining that targeting any individual or member of the Committee will be treated as an attack on the ten Hohos.  

Terming the statements made by MLA Mmhonlumo Kikon as “baseless,” it reasserted that no one will be allowed to exert political pressure, which might influence the course of the foothill road. It named the Nagaland Government, the department in concern (PWD, R&B) and the NFHRCC as the entities responsible for the execution of the project. In this regard, it urged the Nagaland Government to put a stop to the ongoing construction carried out by Wokha District Class I Contractors Union. It reiterated the NHFRCC stand that it will not retract the contract agreement between the NFHRCC and the contractors (P. Imty Ao and Yashitsungba Aier) dated January 18, 2014. Any other agreement, with regard to subletting, without the approval of the NFHRCC will be treated as null and void, the conclave asserted.

With the Nagaland Contractors’ and Suppliers’ Union (NCSU) coming into the picture, the conclave asked the NCSU to withdraw its press statement demanding “open tender.” Failing to do so will compel the ten Hohos to disallow the NCSU to execute any work in the jurisdiction of the ten tribe Hohos, the conclave resolved. The ten apex bodies will meet the Chief Minister of Nagaland on March 20.