The Ao Senden has urged to the Minister in Charge of National Highway to urgently initiate repairs of the V.K. Town – Doyang stretch on NH 61 within 30 days as a contingency measure and to expedite the two-lane project without further delay.

In its ultimatum, the apex Ao organisation highlighted that the stretch of the highway which falls under Zunheboto district is the only direct link between Mokokchung District and State Capital, Kohima. President Marsanen Imsong and General Secretary Imtipokyim also pointed out that with the Mokokchung-Mariani (NH 702D) and Mokokchung-Amguri (NH 61) roads not pliable for light vehicles, the road remains the only alternative for both the people of Mokokchung and a number of Eastern Districts.

However, the “pathetic condition” of the V.K. Town – Doyang stretch is causing “immense hardship” to the people. It has been a long-standing need of the affected citizens to have a reliable and unhindered road, an aspiration that has persisted for more than a decade, it stated.

The Ao Senden therefore called on the Nagaland Government to identify the officials who have “failed to administer and execute the development due to lackadaisical attitude and self-interest” and hold them accountable for the lapses.

In the event of failure to address the issues within the stipulated time of 30 days, the organisation said that it would take its own course of action as resolved in the Ao Senden Sanen Luden meeting held on 24 October 2024.