ZSF organises Guite Road Black day at Suangdoh

By L Nehkholien Haokip

Churachandpur, January 12 : Zomi Students' Federation (ZSF) has organised Guite road black day today at Suangdoh village under Singat sub division of Churachandpur district to protest the concerned department's of the State government negligence to repair the Guite road.

The observance programme was followed by Mass protest social work.

Most of the business centres and market were closed in the area to mark the observance.

A total of 200 vehicles headed towards Suangdoh village from Lamka public ground from 9 am.

A meeting was convened at Suangdoh village wherein civil organization such as Zomi Human Right Foundation (ZHRF), Zomi Youth Association (ZYA), ZEPADA, Zomi Council (ZC) and student bodies like Churachandpur District Students' Union (CDSU), Kuki Students' Organisation (KSO), CCPur branch, were present to show solidarity to the state Government step motherly treatment to the Guite road.

Banners like 'Good road development means integrity,' 'O Ibobi Government must stop step mother treatment,' 'We demand handing over of Guite road construction to BRO/BRTF' and 'Works Minister Get lost' were raised.

The meeting at Suangdoh village strongly raised that the construction of Guite road be handed over to BRO/BRTF at the earliest and construction of the same begins soon.

It may be recalled here that the construction of Guite road, which connects Churachandpur district with Mizoram, was taken up by the BRO/BRTF.

The road was dedicated to the public in 1999.Since then, it remains unattended for years and finally around in 2004, the North Eastern Council (NEC) sanctioned Rs.82 crores for widening and improvement of the road.

The state PWD took over 3 years for earth work/earth cutting alone.

It engaged about 21 agencies though the public lack satisfaction over the construction.

The fact that the state Government failed to the expectation of the public in maintaining the road and poor performance in widening works let the public to launch agitation demanding the handing over of Guite Road construction/development to BRO/BRTF since 2005 .

Chief Minister O Ibobi, vide his D.O No 2/2/2006-CM, 27th November,2006, wrote to Lt.Gen.KS Raoji SC,SM Director General, Border Road Organisation regarding handing over of Guite road construction to BRTF.

But still no concrete measure has been taken up.

A lot of MOU has been signed with SPF Government regarding Guite road development and construction by various District Students' bodies such as CDSU, KSO, ZSF, HAS, MZP.

Lamentably, promises are yet to put into action.