The last few days have seen some interesting events in Mokokchung. The flash flood in Mangkolemba was the most unexpected incident of them all. But natural calamities happen unannounced. While it is fortunate that there were no loss of lives, although properties worth a lot of money were lost, the biggest lesson we can learn from this incident is that we are not adequately prepared to face natural calamities. The saddest part is that there were no disaster management agency personnel available for emergency response. The visuals coming from Mangkolemba proves it. Secondly, Mangkolemba is located on the foothills of Jangpetkong range where there are active coal mining activities going on or has been going on. It must be investigated as to whether the mining activities are in any way related to the flash flood so that necessary interventions can be made to avert such calamities in the future. It is hoped that the individuals who have been affected by the natural calamity will be adequately compensated. The government machinery headed by the Additional Deputy Commissioner and the citizens there are appreciated for their resilience and strength in coping with the calamity.
The next interesting yet under-reported incident was the observance of the 77th anniversary of the USAF B-24 Liberator crash at Molungkimong village on Thursday. The efforts made by the villagers, the Molungkimong WWII Memorial Development Committee in particular, need to be appreciated by all concerned. It is reported that the committee is in the process of making a documentary video on the subject, which is a much desirable endeavor that needs to be supported by all. Even as we pay respect to the 12 US airmen who lost their lives in the crash, the site links the village (and Mokokchung) to World War 2 which, among other things, opens tourism development prospects.
Further, the initiative of the Mokokchung Truck Drivers Association on Thursday was another notable event. Keeping Mokokchung town clean is everybody’s responsibility and it was a laudable initiative undertaken by the members of the association. Two pick-up truck loads of plastic collected along the stretch of road from Sewak gate to Police Point area is not a joke. It reveals just how irresponsible we are. The fact that those plastics were collected in the road means that they were thrown there by our own people. While appreciating the truck drivers and all sensible volunteers who undertake cleanliness drives from time to time, efforts must also be made to ensure that a continued and sustained sensitization campaign is put in place to mitigate the problems of littering public places in general and generating plastic waste in particular.