Dimapur, April 5 (MExN): The Nagaland Foothills Road Coordination Committee (NFHRCC) has reminded all tribal Hohos to abide by the collective decisions reaffirmed on March 30, concerning the postponed meeting scheduled for April 7, with the Government of Nagaland on the National Highways Act, 1956, and land acquisition for the Nagaland Foothills Road.
In a press release from its Media Cell, the NFHRCC stated that any Hoho violating the sanctity of the collective decision would be termed as indulging in anti-developmental and backstabbing activities against the Nagaland Historical People’s Road Project.
The Dimapur-based tribal hohos had issued an ultimatum to the state government on February 21 fixing March 31 as the deadline. In response, the government scheduled a meeting on March 31, inviting all apex tribal hohos. However, for reasons best known to the government, the meeting was postponed to April 7.
Thereafter, the apex tribal hohos, along with Dimapur-based Hohos, passed a resolution not to participate in the April 7 meeting if the NFHRCC is not invited. As of now, the government has given no indication of inviting the NFHRCC to the meeting, nor has there been any word on the issuance of the second phase work order.
“In the given situation, the Hohos and the Committee are well prepared to go for any form of protest to safeguard the People’s Project,” the NFHRCC added.
‘Blacklist firms if work incomplete by April 30’
The NFHRCC noted that as per the contract agreement with the concerned department, M/S JK Construction and M/S Chabou & Co were to complete the work by December 2025. The deadline was first extended to March 2026 by Minister G Kaito Aye citing a communication gap, and further extended to April 30, a move the Committee termed unreasonable and unjustified.
“If the two firms fail to complete the works within the extended period of April 30, both should be blacklisted and the works awarded to capable firms. Nagas cannot afford to remain underdeveloped under the clutches of a few privileged,” the NFHRCC said.
The Committee expressed strong dissatisfaction over evidence of shortfalls in adequate Hume pipes and requisite slab culverts along the stretch, pointing to anomalies in the Detailed Project Report (DPR) preparation. It cautioned the concerned department to take matters seriously in any upcoming projects.
The NFHRCC also urged the NPWD, Road & Bridge, to immediately supply steel structures in both the Baghty and Peren Divisions to enable designated firms to complete their works at the earliest.
Further, the Committee lamented the lack of transparency by the present Opposition-less Government regarding the SASCI loan component on the Nagaland Foothills Road Project, calling it “distasteful to the common people of Nagaland in general.”
Consultative meeting on April 6
Meanwhile, all stakeholders have been informed that a joint consultative meeting of all Dimapur-based tribal hohos and selected core team members from each tribal body, including the Naga Council Dimapur, will be held on Monday (April 6) at 10:00 am at the NFHRCC Base Office, Kher Mahal, Dimapur.
