Commuters, students bear brunt of strike in Mokokchung

Our Correspondent Mokokchung, Oct. 21 (EMN): The dawn-to-dusk indefinite ‘chakka bandh’ called by the Mokokchung District Commercial Vehicle Owner Association (MDCVOA) kept all commercial vehicles off the road in Mokokchung district on Monday. The bandh has been called to oppose the ‘late fine’ levied per day while seeking registration of vehicle and driving license renewal, among others. They claimed that the installation of Vahan 4.0 system is not applicable in Nagaland. MDCVOA sources alleged that Transport authorities direct the owners to get their vehicles insured before registration. They also further stated that the RTO should have conducted awareness and sensitisation programmes about the Vahan 4.0 system before implementation. Commercial vehicles including local taxi, pickup trucks, buses and carriers remained off the road as MDCVOA volunteers kept vigil at various strategic locations around Mokokchung. The association has informed that the bandh will continue until the authorities fulfil its demand. Meanwhile, the bandh has affected daily commuters and students, especial from neighbouring villages, who need to attend various businesses in the town. Out four fuel stations in Mokokchung, one has run out of stock and can be refilled only after the bandh is lifted, said a worker at the fuel station.   Enough stock of essential commodities — MCCI The Mokokchung Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) has assured that there is enough stock of essential commodities in the market. In a press release issued on Monday, it stated that the stock should last for at least two weeks under normal conditions. The MCCI requested the public not to resort to panic shopping or hoarding. It further directed the traders not to indulge in any unethical and illegal market practices taking undue advantage of the situation like hiking prices of essential commodities. Any trader found indulging in such practices would be dealt with severely, the MCCI warned. It also requested the MDCVOA and the government to find a solution at the earliest.