Chakka bandh hits public transport services in 6 Nagaland districts

MOKOKCHUNG — The “chakka bandh” imposed by commercial vehicle owners of Mokokchung,  Tuensang,  Zunheboto, Longleng, Phek and  Peren to protest the non-payment of outstanding dues related to transportation of security personnel during conduct of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly election held earlier this year.

The bandh, which came into effect starting from 5 am on Friday, paralyzed public transport service and transportation of essential commodities in the six districts, as the operation of all commercial vehicles, including two-wheelers, local taxis, inter-district taxis, pickup trucks, buses and heavy trucks were stopped.

In Mokokchung, public transportation was severely affected as all commercial vehicle stands – two-wheelers, taxis, pickup trucks etc. — were empty, forcing commuters to arrange alternative means to reach their destinations.

The local bazaar on Saturday at MMC Shopping Complex is likely to be affected as commercial vehicles won’t be available to transport products from villages, unless the farmers arrange private vehicles to transport their produce.

Fazl Ali College (FAC) Principal, I Wati Imchen, told this newspaper that the college has to arrange extra bus trips to ferry the students since the institute was hosting a joint sports meet with Jubilee Memorial College.

The principal said that its three buses have to make extra trips on Saturday to ensure that all students attend their classes on time.

The college has more than 1300 students and is located about six km away from Mokokchung town. 

The officials of Commercial Vehicle Owners’ Association, Mokokchung, informed that it had a meeting with the deputy commissioner of Mokokchung and Superintendent of Police on Friday to discuss the matter.

The district administration and police officials requested the association to lift the bandh as the government has assured to clear all the outstanding dues, but the commercial vehicle owners said that the bandh would continue until they receive the dues, while citing the government’s failure to address the issue in writing.

“Till now, there is no response from the government. We have lost our trust on the present government; the bandh will continue indefinitely until the demand is met,” they said.

It may mentioned that the Nagaland Police department had on Thursday requested the commercial vehicle owners associations of various districts to call off their proposed indefinite “chakka bandh” to prevent any inconvenience to the public, saying that it endeavours to make the payments “immediately”.

“The Nagaland government has approved expenditure sanction to clear all outstanding dues incurred for hiring of private vehicles during the conduct of the Nagaland State Assembly Election 2023,” read the appeal, adding ‘The actual disbursement of dues may take a few days on account of the administrative process involved.’

However, the associations went ahead with its proposed agitation, saying that they had lost trust in the concerned department and its assurances.

Also read: Nagaland Police department appeals to call off indefinite ‘chakka bandh; vehicle owners say NO