ZSF refutes report, clarifies

By S Singlianmang Guite
Lamka, Aug 28 : Terming the news report carried in the August 28 issue
of this paper carried today under the caption 'UG hand likely to
cripple road works' as factually incorrect and mis-leading, Zomi
Students' Federation today issued a clarification based on four facts.
Firstly, the federation said, it has been constantly pressurizing the
State and Union Government since 2005, to hand over the construction
of Guite Road to the BRO. For this a Cabinet resolution was adopted by
the State Government in 2006, and that the reported official version
of handing over of Guite Road to BRO, depends on political decision,
not only negates but also a mockery of the Cabinet resolution adopted
in 2006, it added.
The first phase of Guite Road, widening and earth work, was executed
with a huge amount of Rs 22 crores, during which, the PWD was too
preoccupied with the fund released that they had no time to complain
about UG hand, said the federation in its second point adding, now, as
the fund has dried up, the State PWD is now busy toying with some
mischievous agenda so that the remaining Rs. 60 crores are released.
In its third point the student body said that it is forced to launch
agitation against the non-fulfilment of Cabinet resolution of 2006,
and accordingly all works executed by the State PWD have been halted,
the Department and the Minister concerned are boycotted.
The ZSF led by its President has maintained a strict vigil against the
intrusion of the department since, all this has halted all pending
works of the department.
A misadventure of the department on the pretext of a minister visiting
the interior villages in Churachandpur on August 21 by sending a JCB
and department gypsy was greeted with a red card by ZSF volunteers on
August 22. Hence it is not the hand of UG as published in The Sangai
Express, it maintained.
For their fourth argument, the ZSF said, Works commissioner R Muivah,
who visited Guite Road and was upset with the condition, given the
fact that Rs. 22 crores have been utilized, categorically stated
officials will be pulled up for the pathetic condition of Guite Road.
With this the department has no other option but to play trick to
cover up their unscrupulous deeds, the ZSF alleged and declare to the
public that the truth does not depend on the lies spread by the
officials of the state PWD.
Pledging to relentlessly pursue their demand, the federation said it
would continue demanding the handing over of construction of Guite
Road to the BRO until it is met.
With so much of pressure and efforts already invested for years - be
it on the public domain, civil societies or the media fraternity it is
insane that an elected government still opted for a blame-game rather
than realizing the will of the people.(TSE)