Staff Reporter

ITANAGAR : The All Kebi Area Students, Youths, Development and Welfare Organization (AKASYDWO) on Thursday alleged that the Kebi area of Keyi Panyor district has been neglected by the local MLA, the district administration, and panchayat leaders despite suffering extensive damage during the recent natural calamities.

Addressing a press conference at the Arunachal Press Club here, AKASYDWO chairman Taba Penka said that the Kebi area was severely affected by the cloudburst and landslides that struck on June 24. He stated that while considerable attention was given to restoring connectivity in Possa and the NEEPCO Colony, the Kebi area, particularly the 28-km Pitapool–Khunglo (Pith) Road, remained blocked, leaving residents cut off from the rest of the district for several days.

Penka alleged that the district administration, the local MLA, the concerned department, and the contractor responsible for the road had completely ignored the plight of the people of Kebi. He said the perceived neglect had deeply hurt the sentiments of the local residents.

Expressing concern over the deteriorating condition of the Pitapool–Khunglo (Pith) Road, Penka said the route was rendered impassable following the recent cloudburst and landslides, disrupting the movement of people and essential supplies. He alleged that government machinery and restoration efforts were largely concentrated in Possa and the NEEPCO Colony, while no significant attention was given to restoring connectivity to the Kebi area.

He informed that, in the absence of official intervention, AKASYDWO, with the support of local volunteers and well-wishers, undertook a voluntary road-clearing drive along an alternative route connecting Toru in Papum Pare district to the Kebi area. The organization was able to restore connectivity through the alternative route on June 29. However, he said the main Pitapool–Khunglo (Pith) Road remains blocked due to massive landslides, which are beyond the organization’s capacity to clear.

Penka further alleged that during the voluntary road-clearing exercise, officials and engineers from the Public Works Department (PWD) attempted to stop the organization’s social service activities despite being informed of the hardships faced by the people. He expressed disappointment over what he described as interference instead of support from the department.

The organization urged the authorities to immediately restore the Pitapool–Khunglo (Pith) Road and ensure safe, reliable, and all-weather connectivity for the people dependent on the route. It also appealed to the district administration and the local MLA to give due attention to the grievances and urgent needs of the Kebi area.