Mokokchung, August 11 (MTNews): The Joint Action Committee (Workers’ Union and Pensioners’ Union) of the Nagaland Pulp and Nagaland Pulp & Paper Company Limited (NPPCL) has accepted the request made by the government and has postponed its proposed bandh along NH-02.
A joint meeting was held today at Conference Hall, Deputy Commissioner’s Office, Mokokchung between the Department of Industries & Commerce and the Joint Action Committee (JAC) in the presence of DC Mokokchung, Superintendent of Police Mokokchung, Ao Senden official, representatives of Langpangkong Range, and Vice-Chairman of Tzudikong Adhoc Committee. The meeting was convened by DC Mokokchung to discuss and resolve the proposed bandh/blockade of NH-02 by Joint Action Committee, Tuli Paper Mill (NPPC).
According to a press release issued by DC Mokokchung, the JAC shared their grievances on the non-payment of salaries and pension of the staff of Tuli Paper Mill. Members of Civil societies extended their sympathies to their genuine grievances and requested the concerned department officials to resolve the issue at the earliest, the release added.
“Kekhrievor Kevichusa, Commissioner & Secretary, Department of Industries & Commerce, Government of Nagaland, shared that the department is taking all the possible steps to resolve the same and requested the JAC to postpone the proposed bandh/blockade of the NH-2,” the DC said in the press release. It was also mentioned that the JAC accepted the request and agreed to postpone the proposed bandh/blockade of NH-02.
It is learnt that the JAC shared their grievances on the nonpayment of their salaries and pension of regular and retired employees from the years 2017 and 2015 respectively. Since then, they have been approaching the Government of Nagaland and other stakeholders for the resolution of their genuine grievances.
Ao Senden officials, representatives of Langpangkong Range Area, and the Vice Chairman, Tzudikong Adhoc Town Committee also shared their concerns regarding the difficulties being faced by the staff of Tuli Paper Mill due to non-payment of their salaries and pensions. The civil society members present extended their sympathy towards the aggrieved staff and requested the concerned department officials to take up the issue sincerely to resolve the grievances of workers at the earliest.
Commissioner &Secretary, Department of Industries & Commerce, Government of Nagaland, shared that the department is taking all the possible steps with the concerned ministry, Gol, and other stakeholders to find a way for resolving the issue. However, because of the complexity of the issue, he said that it is taking time to achieve the desired result. Therefore, he requested the JAC to give at least 3 (three) more months to process all requirements and formalities to resolve the grievances of the workers. He further appealed to the JAC to postpone the proposed bandh/block of the NH-2 from 12th August 2022, to which the JAC agreed.