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

MOKOKCHUNG — The commercial vehicle owners associations of six districts — Mokokchung, Tuensang, Zunheboto, Longleng, Phek (ANTA) and Peren (ANTA) – have announced indefinite ‘chakka bandh’ from 5 am onwards starting on November 3.

The associations informed on Wednesday that the previously planned indefinite ‘chakka bandh’ scheduled for October 9 in four districts had been called off after the state government reportedly agreed to their demands.

The positive response from the government reportedly came in the form of a letter to the deputy commissioners of Wokha, Mokokchung, Tuensang, Zunheboto and Longleng from Commissioner of Nagaland Mhabemo Yanthan on October 8, stating that ‘the government is actively considering on clearing all pending payment and as intimated to this office by the Government, all bill will be cleared for payment on or before 31st October 2023’.

However, the associations said that they have not received the outstanding payment yet.

The pending payment is related to transportation of security personnel for a period ranging from one to three months during the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly elections held in February this year. This payment comes under the purview of the Superintendent of Police.

The resolute decision to impose the indefinite bandh is triggered by the prolonged delay in addressing the pending bill, for 10 months — from January to October 2023. The associations also insisted on the immediate distribution of commercial fares. The associations also expressed deep frustration over the perceived lackadaisical attitude of the state government, saying that they would remain steadfast in their demand “with a firm stance against unnecessary government revocation letters”.

They said that the commercial vehicle owners, who provided essential services during the assembly election, earn on a day-to-day basis and rely on their vehicles to provide for their families. Continuing their services without payment for 10 consecutive months has caused severe hardships not only for the association but also the public in general, they maintained.

Notably, the commercial vehicle owners’ associations have been vocal in their appeals and had submitted a petition on June 22, 2023 and even issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Nagaland Government on September 28, 2023.

Wokha to join bandh later

Meanwhile, the All Commercial Vehicles’ Association (ACVA) of Wokha extended its support to the proposed chakka bandh, while informing that it would participate in the agitation only after the midnight of November 7.

In a press note, the ACVA stated that it is unable to impose the bandh in Wokha district before November 7 owing to the Lotha Tokhü Emong festivities and the Lotha Hoho’s 100th year anniversary.

However, the indefinite bandh will come into effect in the district starting midnight of November 7, it stated.

Also read: Indefinite ‘chakka bandh’ in 4 districts from October 9