IMPHAL, July 19(Newmai News Network): Five months after the then union home secretary GK Pillai promised assistance in New Delhi, a villager from Tamenglong district by the name of Athanbou Pamei received today a brand new TATA 4X4 truck worth over eight lakh rupees.
It all started when the 53-year old Athanbou Pamei of L Pabram village in Tamenglong district visited Delhi at the invitation of Friendship Forum of India. He was conferred the awards of best “personality” and “great Indian citizen” by Friendship Forum of India at a lavish function in Delhi on February 13. The awards carried one each of gold medal, a citation and a plate.
During the visit the then union home secretary GK Pillai reportedly promised Athanbou—the village chief—a tarmac road on the 15-km inter village road (IVR) between Tamenglong district headquarters and L Pabram village as also other assistances, with the recent one being TATA 404.
Although the vehicle arrived at TATA Motors Ltd in MG Avenue in Imphal only today, the key was formally handed over by
GK Pillai’s promise gives Tamenglong villager a ‘TATA’
joint secretary of Northeast in the Ministry of Home Affairs Sambhu Singh who visited the state a couple of days ago. The TATA 404 truck has been given reportedly as assistance to Athanbou for private use.
Meanwhile, an IVR road that connects L Pambram village to barrack bridge point has also been surveyed thrice over. The road will be funded by BRGF under DRDA and implemented by the state government, said a jubilant Kikhon Pamei, son of Athanbou, while speaking to Newmai News Network today after the arrival of the vehicle. The actual works on the road has been held up by the ongoing monsoon, he added.
While the road is set to be funded by the central government, 11 Assam Rifles led by CO PS Chonkar under the directive of General Hooda have been instrumental in getting clear of a rocky portion along the stretch with the use of military explosives, bulldozer and manpower, said Kikhon and expressed appreciation for the assistance rendered via Military Civic Action (MCA) programme.
