Chakka bandh lifted in six districts with immediate effect

MOKOKCHUNG — The Commercial Vehicle Owners’ Association of Mokokchung, Tuensang, Zunheboto, Longleng, Phek and Peren have called off the indefinite ‘chakka bandh’ with immediate effect on Tuesday evening, after the government reportedly agreed to disburse pending bills from November 8.

Non-payment of outstanding bills, related to transportation of security personnel during the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly election in February this year, led to the bandh that forced commercial vehicles to be stranded for four days and affected economic activities in all six districts.

Had the strike persisted, Mokokchung Town would have depleted its entire fuel supply, with reports indicating that most fuel stations were already without stock. The few stations with remaining fuel would have likely exhausted their supplies by the afternoon.

In Mokokchung, the Commercial Vehicle Owners’ Association reportedly had a ‘positive’ joint meeting with the deputy commissioner and the superintendent of police. Following this, the association stated that the bandh has been lifted with immediate effect as all the other districts had also confirmed the disbursement of outstanding bills from November 8.

They also expressed their gratitude to the public and various civil organisations that have stood in solidarity with their demand.

Related story: Commercial vehicle owners of 6 districts announce indefinite ‘chakka bandh’ in Nagaland over unpaid bills