TEZPUR, Feb 10 � The people of the greater Misamari area here are irked at the alleged closure of the PWD road from Thelamara to Arunachal Pradesh via Misamari connecting the National Highway-52 by the Army.
It is to be stated here that the greater Misamari area under Tezpur Lok Sabha constituency and Dhekiajuli LAC, consists of more than 52 villages including Tatchal, Rikamari, Jiabharali, Misamari, Naharani, Dighaljuli, Kalamati, Kathaljuli, Nepalibasti, Nabeel, Patidai Bherela, New Misamari, Dhanmara, Dhankhana, Bangalgaon, Bandarhagi, Nagapathar, Ramnathpur, Bengenjuli, etc villages and has a population of more one lakh people.
The people of this area have been using the road as the only way of major surface communication before the Army settled in the Army station in 1962 during the Chinese aggression.
There are more than 25 big and small public institutions including Garubandha Higher Secondary School, Misamari College, Garubandha PHC, Misamari State Bank, Garu-bandha weekly market, etc and for communication people use this PWD road.
Moreover, the inter-State bus services under the Arunachal State Transport Service has been using this road. But it is a matter of serious concern that the two PWD roads, connecting Thelamara (NH 52) to Rangapara and another connecting Rangapara to the foothills of Arunachal Pradesh remain closed to the civilians frequently.
It is alleged that the Army authorities in the name of checking the people at Misamari TCP Gate (Butchery checkpost) allegedly harass people by closing the roads sometimes even upto 24 hours.
Talking to this correspondent, Rathindra Dey, ZPC member and a prominent social worker of the area, disclosed that of late Army authorities has put several barricades on the PWD and other link roads in Misamari area. People have agreed to such checking for safety by the Army.
But to add to the problem of the common people, Army authorities have restricted movement of the villagers from 6 pm in the evening till 6 am of the next day causing a great deal of inconvenience to labourers, small entrepreneurs, businessmen, etc.
�The Army cannot create trouble for the common people in the name of security measures. We feel dejected as there is nobody to listen to the grievances of the public and nobody has bothered to remove the restrictions. We realise the fact that Army needs security. They can strengthen their security system for which people of the area have no objection. But they should not check free movement in the name of security of the common people. The road should be left free as it was since independence,� the social worker reiterated.
On the other hand, due to this action of the Army, one of the wildlife sanctuaries of the State, Sonai Rupai Sanctuary which has been specially chosen for the Elephant Project, has been adversely affected.
Moreover, it is pertinent to mention here that in view of this, the SDC, Dhekiajuli circle, responding to the demand of the public, has ordered an inquiry into the matter in the interest of the people of the area residing in different revenue villages under Dhekiajuli revenue circle.
