Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Francis Ngajokpa made a visit to Choithar village, situated about 10kms from Ukhrul town, to troubleshoot the longstanding dispute over construction of road connecting three villages and held a preliminary survey for new roads on Saturday.

Francis held an hour-long consultation with village authorities of Choithar, Khangkhui Khullen and Khangkhui Khunou to hammer out an amicable solution on the long standing dispute over the alignment of road that could connect the three villages.

The minister also inspected the PMGSY road from National Highway 150 to Choithar village. His entourage included Chingai AC MLA MK Preshow Shimray and PMGSY chief engineer Babuchan Ningthoujam.

In the hour-long hearing held this forenoon, Francis patiently listened to case presentation of the different parties that voiced varying proposals for the alignment of road linking the three villages.

In the course of the deliberation, certain land owners expressed reservation and oppose any new alignment that could affect the wet paddyfields.

Talking to the media after the hearing, the minister said the villagers were in total agreement of constructing the link, but the dispute among them was in regard to the road alignment.

To settle the long-pending dispute, he stated that the alignment has to be done by making certain adjustment and would try its best not to leave any parties aggrieved.

In the PMGSY phase 8, Francis informed that the road connecting Khangkhui Khunuo from BRTF Kamjong road would be constructed while adding the State government would also make all efforts to link both the Nungshong villages (Khullen and Khunuo) in the areas.

Later, after the meeting with the RD & PR minister, there was a commotion among the village authorities as the rift arises in their opinions over road alignment while the press briefing was taking place inside a room.

Just before his departure from the village, Francis announced to the gathering crowd of three villages that the link roads in the areas will be definitely taken up but steadfastly made it clear that there was no provision for land compensation in PMGSY.