DCCI, Dimapur transport unions resolve to resume operation

Dimapur, Sep. 30 (EMN): The Dimapur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) convened a joint meeting with various Dimapur-based transport unions on Wednesday and resolved to immediately resume operation, a day after transporters and truck unions from Assam and Nagaland began indefinite agitation, restricting entry of transport vehicles to Dimapur in protest against the brutal killing of a truck driver on September 22 and the failure of the government to fulfil their demands.

A press release from DCCI informed that the meeting with Dimapur Goods Transport Association, Dimapur District Truck Owners’ Union, Dimapur District Truck Drivers’ Welfare Trade Union and Dimapur District Truck Drivers’ Union was organised to discuss the ‘chakka jam’ agitation called by a section of transporters.

It stated that the house took serious note of ‘the agitation which has affected supply of essential goods and life-saving drugs into Nagaland state via Dimapur during the Covid-19 pandemic’.

DCCI president Akashe K Zhimomi told Eastern Mirror that they “definitely” support the demands of the transporters but bandh at this juncture will affect the people who are already having a hard time due to the pandemic. He added that trucks stranded in Dimapur have started plying except those in Lahorijan.

“The chakka jam is creating fear psychosis among general citizens and the joint meeting resolved that the various transporters and truck unions of Dimapur should immediately resume operation to normalise the transportation and supply chain,” the DCCI press release read.

The house ‘unanimously resolved that the agitation should be immediately called off in the greater interest of the public as the people and businessmen, including transporters, have incurred heavy losses in the past six months due to the Covid-19 pandemic’. “At this juncture we cannot afford another bandh or agitation,” it stated.

The associations have urged the Nagaland government take up the issue with its Assam counterpart as the agitation has affecting the smooth flow of supplies.

“Truckloads of essential commodities and perishable items stranded on the Highway are rotting and getting damaged. Who will be responsible for the losses and who will compensate for the damaged goods, especially perishable items?” it asked.

The DCCI has also appealed to the commissioner of police, Dimapur to communicate with Assam Police for providing police escort and ensure safe passage transport vehicles crossing the inter-state border.

The house lauded the Dimapur Police for the prompt action in pursuing the murder case and repose confidence that it would expedite the investigation to its logical conclusion. It also appealed to the authorities to fulfil the demands of the truck union.

Following the killing of one Jiten Gogoi, a truck driver, in Dimapur on September 22, various associations — Dimapur District Truck Owners’ Association, Dimapur Truck Drivers’ Union, Dimapur District Truck Driver Welfare Trade Union, Lahorijan and Khatkhati Truckers Welfare Society and Bokajan Truck Owners’ Association – served a three-day ultimatum to the government of Nagaland on September 24 to give compensation to the victim’s family and end Dimapur Municipal Council’s ‘lease system’, failing which they threatened to stop entry of trucks to Dimapur.

The truck unions began its agitation on Tuesday after its ultimatum expired on September 27, leaving dozens of trucks stranded on the highway and disrupting supply chain.