The saying ‘Time Changes’ has, in its colloquial sense, become a common use or application in conversations, meetings and gossips, with no visible reason as to question its veracity. And in unison with the change of time, a lot of development has taken place in Nagaland ranging from road communication, educational system, rural area development and Information Technology etc.
People in Nagaland today may not deny the presence of good roads, facilities for better living standards and peaceful atmosphere as we claim; compared to the pre-Statehood era. Under the above status of the state of Nagaland, it would be preposterous to negate the version herein portrayed citing petty reasons with the petulant approach. Never the less, it is a glaring fact that Wokha district is limping in utter hardship for want of want of well maintained road communication system and Power supply.
The deplorable condition of Wokha-Merapani road, which is the ‘Trunk Road’ of Wokha district could, if maintained, serve Nagaland state including other neighboring states as another arterial in addition to the existing NH. 39. taking note of the agriculturally productive pockets, the Doyang Hydro Electrical Project (DHEP) situated by the site of this very road and other resources of the district, the Government should have prioritized maintenance of the Wokha- Merapani road following which, the Districts’ contribution to the state’s economy would be enormous.
The DHEP is an established revenue generating unit of the State of Nagaland. In essence, electricity/ power play a vital role in all spheres of development, large or small Industries and official purposes other than the domestic requirement. Prosperity, progress and all round development have been the parables of leaders and the Government, but lacking of ground realities, thus, making the people of Wokha district wait in hope for too long now.
In light of the above facts, the demands of the people of Wokha district being voiced by the Lotha Students’ front should not be treated as a mere agitation. Along with the change of time, one must also expand the mental horizon. What the Lotha Students are demanding should not be marginalized to that of a district or a tribe, and all illegal support should be extended to the Students demands and treat the movement as ‘fundamental duty’ of all concerned.
The Government and the people at the helm of authority may please expediate necessary action to address the districts’ demands without further delay; keeping in mind that-“well done is better than well said”.
T. L. Merry
Chairman, Lotha Hoho Dimapur.
