Contractors not keen to resume work Lumding-Silchar BG Project

Lumding-Silchar BG Project
By our Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI, Sept 12: Despite suspension of operations against the outlawed DHD (J), work at the NF Railway’s Lumding-Silchar Broad-gauge project is yet to resume.

In the past, work of the Lumding-Silchar BG project has come to a halt on many occasions, primarily due to insurgency problems. The project work has been worst hit in North Cachar Hills.

It should be noted that the BG work has remained suspended since May 15 this year. A semblance of peace seems to have returned to hill district with the DHD (J) offering an unilateral ceasefire. However, the Government is yet to take a decision. As per sources, both the Centre and the State Government are busy pushing the ball into each other’s courts.

Though the people feel that the BG project work would resume after the end of the monsoon season, the contractors are refraining from voicing their assent.

In a meeting with a delegation of the NF Railway Contractors’ Association last week, DGP RN Mathur requested the contractors to resume work after the end of the monsoon season. IGP (law and order) Chandra Nathan was also present at the meeting.

The contractors, however, are still afraid of resuming work. The contractors alleged that extortion is still going on, albeit, on a lower scale. A source said, “People feel that peace has come back. But how long will it last? Once we resume our work, extortion will start again.”

Quoting police sources, the source said, “The suspension of operations against the DHD(J) is entirely a political decision.” He added, “We don’t want to lose any more lives.”

The source further said the fear psychosis amongst the workers has become so strong that it has become very difficult to persuade them to start work again. He added that the NFRCA would hold a meeting soon to discuss its future stand. source: sentinel assam