NORTH LAKHIMPUR, Dec 2 - A massive protest rally was held in Lakhimpur district demanding a bridge over a stream of the Subansiri that separates a river island between Majuli and mainland North Lakhimpur, on Sunday.
Organised by Takam Mising Porin Kebang, Takam Mising Mime Kebang and Mising Mimak Kebang on the banks of the Subansiri stream on the historic Khabolughat in Lakhimpur, the meeting demanded speedy construction of a bridge over the river for better connectivity and resultant development.
Speaker after speaker in the meeting lambasted at state government�s lackadaisical attitude over such a just demand for a bridge, which has been lingering on for more than three decades. Besides demanding an RCC bridge over the Subansiri between Moroliyaghat and Khabolughat, the rally also demanded immediate intervention by the state government to improve the educational, transport and healthcare services in the riverine areas of Lohit-Khabolu and check erosion at Kherkota.
It may be mentioned that a wooden bridge has recently been completed over the Kherkotiya river connecting Lohitghat with Garamur in Majuli in October. However, the gap between Khabolughat and Moroliyaghat is still not connected by any bridge. Hence, the concerned people are compelled to cross the stretch by ferry or country boats.
Though a bridge was officially sanctioned in the 1980s, but for reasons yet to be made known till date, the said bridge never materialised. Obviously, proper connectivity in this riverine region of Lakhimpur district which shares its boundary with Majuli, has been taking a huge toll on the healthcare services of dozens of villages in the area which are inhabited mostly by Mising community people.
Not surprisingly, therefore, death of pregnant women while moving towards healthcare centres in Majuli or North Lakhimpur, delivery under the open sky or death of patients before receiving any medical care are common occurrences.
