JAC Wokha village temporarily suspends indefinite bandh on NH-2

DIMAPUR— The proposed indefinite bandh called by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) under the aegis of Wokha Village Youth Organisation (WVYO), over road widening issue on National Highway-2 (NH-2) has been temporarily suspended following a meeting with Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Wokha on Monday.

The decision was taken after the DC gave a written assurance to complete the eviction drive in all the 106 locations marked/identified by the JAC during the joint verification within 15 days before allowing the commencement of normal works, update Wokha Village Youth Organisation (WVYO) in a press release.

However, the JAC will resume the bandh if any of the identified areas/location is compromised in any manner, it added.

The JAC had earlier announced indefinite bandh starting on June 20 after the expiry of 20-day ultimatum to remove encroachments from the right of way (ROW) in order to enable the completion of the road project.

In a joint statement, the executive engineer of PWD and DC Wokha, also updated about Monday’s meeting with the representatives of JAC, Lotha Hoho, LSU, WVYO and other civil society organisations, where issues related to construction of 2-lane road between 72.40 km and 83 km on NH-2 were discussed.

The PWD(NH) apprised the house that it had identified corrective actions to be taken after a thorough inspection at all 106 locations and the report given to the JAC Convenor along with DPR/contract agreement.

It said the TTC Infra India assured to immediately initiate rectification works on areas mentioned in the verification report, while the district administration said that notices had been served to 17 people since April this year and eviction drive forcibly carried out.

The PWD (NH) department and district administration Wokha assured to address the issue pertaining to 106 locations by continuing the eviction drive, while the CSOs assured all necessary support in executing the exercise, it said.