Car & bike enthusiasts aid landslide-hit travellers in Nagaland

Kohima: Following the recent landslides on NH-29 at Sechü- Zubza on September 30, several car and bikes enthusiasts from Kohima in Nagaland came to the rescue of stranded vehicles and travelers who have been stuck on the stretch along Peducha-Tsiesema that connects Kohima with Dimapur.

Vehicular movement from Kohima to Dimapur and vice versa were temporarily diverted from Peducha-Tsiesema and Jotsoma-Khonoma-Mezoma route due to a mishap along NH-29.

Members of Kohima-based adventure clubs — Aces High and Nagaland 4×4 — jointly helped stranded vehicles and travelers along the Peducha-Tsiesema road after the muddy road was badly affected by the heavy rains leading to vehicles skidding and others getting stuck in the mud.

Speaking with EastMojo, Ahu Khezie, a member of Aces High, revealed that the unplanned initiative was taken up after a car belonging to a friend was stuck along the way on Thursday. He said that as they rescued the car around 10 am, the thought of leaving behind other stranded vehicles and travelers disturbed them. So, they began to help other vehicles plying through that route.

“Most of us are unemployed and engage ourselves in small businesses and our schedules are not really tight. So, we decided that rather than just gathering together in the evening (like we often do), we decided to utilise our time for a noble cause,” he said. Subsequently, over 20 members from both the clubs jointly volunteered for over six hours that day.

With the available equipment, these volunteers helped the stranded vehicles by pulling out cars that were stuck in the muddy road and cars that were skidding due to the slippery road. As the weather cleared by Friday, these volunteers assisted the traffic police and escorted eight oil tankers to ply through the narrow road, working up to almost 10 hours.

He humbly added that as their cars are equipped for off-road trips, being able to utilise them for a community cause — and that too at the right time — is what added to their joy. “We wanted to do our bit in the best way that we can,” he said.

On Saturday, the team took a break as the route is now clear for transportation. However, the condition of the road could deteriorate and Khezie assured that these volunteers will be back to work if it continues to rain. Formed last year, both these adventure clubs have been engaging in charity activities from time to time.

Meanwhile in Zubza, the Nagaland Police showed a human side by providing juices to stranded travelers on Thursday following which the district administration and the village council along with a youth organisation provided free drinking water, tea and snacks to stranded travelers.