Constructions of East–West corridor progressing at snail pace The Public Demand CO–ordination Committee (PDCC) which is representing the forest villages comprising Karigaon, Joypur, Raijampwi, Milon Bazar, Alangi Bazar, Bismuri, Samarpur and Kachugaon under Haltugaon and Kachugaon Forest Division of Kokrajhar district has threatened to halt the construction of four lane works and launch strong agitation if the concerned authority release the compensation to the villagers whose lands are acquired and shops as well as crops are damaged. The Secretary of the PDCC– Ashok Goyary while talking to this reporter on Monday said the villagers will wait till February 11 as ensured by the concerned authority and if they fail once again, then they will have no other option but to go for dahrna in front of DC office and National Highway blockade after February 11 as part of their democratic agitation. He said the villagers have written to the Project Director of the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) for release of compensation for several times and they have also approached the Circle Officer and BTC administration for taking necessary action and accordingly, the survey of land along national highway was conducted by the Assistant Executive Enginner, PWD (Road), Kokrajhar, that began on 12 February, 2012 till July of that year but till today, no action has been taken from the NHAI. On 31 January, the PDCC has sent the reminder to the Project Director of the NHAI requesting him for early release of compensation. Goyary said most of the forest villagers along the national highway 31 (C) have been living since 1950 and they were earning their livelihood by way of shops and agriculture but the lands have been acquired for the purpose of four lane constructions since 2005–06. But most ironically, the villagers have not received any compensation for the structure and crops from the concerned authority despite repeated appeal, he said adding that the villagers have submitted the required documents sought by the NHAI couple of years back but despite this fact, the authority is seemed to be reluctant to grant their compensation. He also said that they have lost faith on the NHAI and therefore, they have opted for launching a vigorous protest programme in the days to come. The Secretary of PDCC said the NHAI has to release compensation of amount between 6–7 crore for 288 families that fall within Haltugaon and Kachugaon Forest Division from Kachugoan to Karigaon. As per data showed by the Secretary of the PDCC, there are 35 families in Karigaon, 14 at Joypur, 8 at Raijampwi, 23 at Milon Bazar, 26 at Alangi, 18 at Bismuri, 12 at Samarpur under Haltugaon forest division and 131 families in Kachugaon forest division who are waiting for getting their compensation. The committee said that they are to get their crop compensation as well as other livelihood compensation. The villagers told the reporters that the construction works of four lanes is temporarily halt due to the irate of the people. They said they there will be no question of opposing the constructions of four lanes if the concerned authority releases the compensation as early as possible but instead doing so, they have been making the villagers scapegoat since long. They also alleged that the Project Director of NHAI in Kokrajhar–Chirang–Bongaigaon sector SK Maullik has been reluctant to provide compensation and he never gives good response while approaching him to discuss over the issue. It may be mentioned that the construction of four lane works are progressing at snail pace in Kokrajhar and Chirang districts. In many portions, even the earth work is to be done. The people have even fear of maintaining quality work. Most of the bridges are yet to be completed in the two districts. It is pertinent to mentioned that the militancy problems have also affected the constructions of East–West corridor and the non release of compensation also another factors. There had also been kidnapping case of an engineer near Karigaon in Kokrajhar district couple of years back but questions galore whether the engineers do not have security in the place like militant prone Karigaon and other vulnerable locations that are already identified. After all, the overall progress of four lanes constructions in two lower Assam districts is too poor. On February 3, the villagers of Karigaon, Joypur, Alangi, Bismuri, Samarpur and Raijampwi part tried to block the NH 31 (C) but the attempt got fail as the section 144 CrPC is in force in the district. The villagers got gathered at Alangi Bazar and they had a meeting where the issue was discussed.