In a show of resilience and unwavering commitment, the ‘Chakka Bandh,’ initiated by the All Commercial Vehicle Owners’ Association (ACVOA) from Mokokchung, Tuensang, Zunheboto, and Longleng, marked its fourth day on November 6, with no resolution in sight. The government’s inability to meet their demands has sparked concerns and frustration among the protesters.
Tongpang, the President of ANTA Mokokchung, emphasized their determination to continue the bandh, further intensifying it by prohibiting the movement of Telecom vehicles and vehicles carrying construction materials from November 7. Meanwhile, C Tony Yajem, President of ANTA Longleng, hinted at a halt in the NST bus services from November 8, potentially inconveniencing passengers who have already purchased tickets.
The ongoing bandh is a direct response to the government’s failure to clear the payment for private vehicle hiring charges requisitioned during the State Assembly Election of 2023 by the promised deadline of October 31. Despite the Government of Nagaland sanctioning an amount of Rs 11,62,00,000 for payment on November 2, the ACVOA remains resolute, expressing their lack of trust in the government’s assurances.
DC Mokokchung, Thsuvisie Phoji expressed hope that the matter would be resolved within the next 2-3 days, possibly by the end of the week. He informed that the SP of Mokokchung went to Kohima on this matter and expressed confidence that the issue would be settled by this week.
Amidst the ongoing Chakka Bandh, DC Mokokchung has issued directives to all fuel outlets in Mokokchung Town to prevent any shortage of fuel in the district. These directives limit the selling of fuel to not more than 20 liters for light vehicles and 30 liters for heavy vehicles. Furthermore, it prohibits the issuance of fuel in jerry cans, containers, or any other form, emphasizing that fuel should only be dispensed directly into vehicle fuel tanks from November 6 until further notice.
Meanwhile, in a new development,, the All Nagaland Taxi Association (ANTA) Peren Unit, Kiphire Unit, and Phek Unit on Monday expressed their dismay and serious concern over the non-payment of dues, emphasizing that payments have been withheld for nearly nine months. The government’s indifferent attitude towards the association’s appeals is seen as an “absolute disregard” for the hardships faced by ANTA, they stated.
As a sign of solidarity and support for the ongoing protests, the three District Units have announced their intention to initiate a Chakka Bandh within their respective jurisdictions from 5:00 am on November 8, 2023. They have urged the government to take the matter seriously, cautioning that any untoward incidents resulting from the protests will solely be the government’s responsibility.
R Nza, Joint Secretary of ANTA, reiterated their commitment to persist with the bandh until their demands are met and appealed to the public to understand and bear the grievances they are enduring.
From Ao Senden to student bodies, CSOs in Mokokchung extend support
As the ‘Chakka Bandh’ launched by the All Commercial Vehicle Owners Association (ACVOA) entered its fourth day, civil society organizations in Mokokchung have come together to voice their solidarity and concerns regarding the ongoing protest.
The apex bodies of the Ao community including the Ao Senden, the Watsü Mungdang, and the Ao Kaketshir Mungdang (AKM), as well as the Ongpangkong Kaketshir Mungdang (OKM), has extended support for the ACVOA’s cause while Mokokchung Town Lanur Telongjem (MTLT) will reportedly assist even at the ongoing protest sites.
Ao Senden: The apex tribal body Ao Senden urged the government to act promptly and release the sanctioned amount to the ACVOA, recognizing the hardships faced not only by the vehicle owners but also the general public.
Watsü Mungdang: The apex Ao women’s organization emphasized the need for an immediate solution to the demands made by the Commercial Vehicle Owners. It highlighted the legitimacy of the demand for payment of earned dues, given the services provided during the NLA elections. Stating that the prolonged ‘Chakka Bandh,’ which started on November 3, has caused significant inconveniences and disruptions in public life, the Watsü Mungdang appealed to the government to resolve the issue swiftly to restore normalcy.
AKM: The Ao Kaketshir Mungdang conducted a comprehensive assessment of the ongoing ‘Chakka Bandh’ and expressed deep concern regarding its multifaceted consequences on society. It noted that the disruptions caused by the bandh extend beyond the economic sphere, directly impacting the student community. Students, who were diligently attending schools and tuition centers, are now enduring significant inconveniences due to the disruptions caused by the bandh, it observed.
“This disruption to the daily lives of students is a matter of great concern. Education forms the foundation of our society’s progress, and any hindrance to the educational pursuits of our youth can have long-lasting repercussions. Furthermore, the disruption caused by the bandh has also affected the daily lives of the general public. Commuters face difficulties in reaching their workplaces, essential services are disrupted, and the availability of goods and services has been severely impacted,” the AKM added.
In light of these developments, the Ao Kaketshir Mungdang urged the government to take immediate action and called upon the authorities to expedite the disbursement of the dues rightfully earned by the All Commercial Vehicle Owners’ Association (ACVOA).
OKM: The Ongpangkong Students’ Conference (OKM) expressed its unwavering support for the ‘Chakka Bandh’ protest called by ACVOA and found their demand justified. However, they emphasized that the public should not be made to bear the brunt of these issues as the ongoing protest adversely affects the economic well-being of society.
In this regard, the OKM urgently urged the Government of Nagaland to act promptly on the ACVOA’s demand, alleviate the difficulties faced by the public, and establish an inquiry team to investigate the reasons behind the payment delay.
“Transparency and good governance should be prioritized to instill public trust and confidence,” the OKM stated and appealed to the state government to resolve the issue at the earliest to prevent further economic hardships and disturbances to society.