Mokokchung bandh to stay put till CM resigns

Mokokchung, Feb. 17: Even though the total bandh in Mokokchung district–entering its fifth day on Friday–has finally been lifted on February 17 evening, a semblance of it will continue for some time.
The Joint Action Committee of the Ao Senden has informed that partial bandh will be enforced in Mokokchung district ‘until the Chief Minister TR Zeliang tenders his resignation.’
The organisation has made it clear that the closure of all the government offices, besides restrictions on the movement of government-registered vehicles in the district will be enforced during the partial bandh.
However, banks and educational institutions have been exempted from the purview of the bandh.
Summing up the events around the several days of bandh at the Police Point in the town on Friday, the Ao Senden’s Acting President C Angang Jamir said that ‘out in this world there is no differentiation between male and female when it comes to rights, therefore in every aspect, the two genders equally share the same rights.’Jamir pointed out that the hardship and struggle ‘we have being facing for the past two months is all because the government did not understand that in democracy the real owner of the government are the people.’
The loss of three precious lives during the upheaval can be ‘traced back to the mandated leaders who took the decision without taking the people into account, the people who are the real owners,’ he said.
The Ao Senden leader also asserted that after more than 50 years of statehood of Nagaland, the Nagas were witnessing a ‘historic event where we Nagas are united as one to fight and safeguard its rights.’ Therefore, he said, ‘God has bestowed an opportunity to the Naga people to rebuild Nagaland- free from corruption and truth prevail.’
“….We will rebuild our Nagaland” said Angang. He recalled that as the movement started against the Municipal Act which he asserted ‘infringed upon the very existence rights of the people, the Naga people have witnessed the shredded scenario of our state.’

In this regard, he said that to rebuild the society the Naga tribes, on a single platform, have framed ‘serious points,’ he said. ‘Till today we stand on our ground that we will not call off the bandh until chief minister of Nagaland resigns.’
The Ao Senden leader asserted that after the chief minister’s resignation, ‘the process of rebuilding Nagaland and safeguarding the people rights will start.’ He maintained that it was not just ‘lifting the bandh but starting the process of rebuilding’ Nagaland too.
In this connection, the acting president of the Ao Senden appealed to the people to be ready to ‘furnish their wisdom and support rebuilding Nagaland into a vibrant state.’
Representatives from the JCC of the Ao Senden, the Lotha Hoho of Mokokchung, and ENPUM, Ayim Asem Lika (Mokokchung Town Landowners), All Ward Union Mokokchung Town, OKM and MTLT spoke during the event.
Besides, Ao youths volunteers under the banner of the Ao Senden, members of various Naga communities living in Mokokchung and hundreds of women in full traditional attire from eighteen wards of Mokokchung town, ENPUM and the Sumi community joined the men folk during the bandh which began from 9:00 and culminated around 3:00.
Uneventful bandh day for Wokha
From our Wokha Correspondent:

The partial bandh in Wokha town on Friday, February 17 passed off peacefully. For Wokha district, the bandh is being enforced by the Lotha Hoho Joint Action Committee (LHJAC). The day’s bandh was enforced by members of the Pongidong Village Youth Organization.
The Lotha Youth Hoho has been entrusted as volunteers for tomorrow and, on Monday, the Wozhuro Range Youth Organization are to enforce the bandh until further notice.
No government office was open on the day.
The committee has reminded that government-registered vehicles must to stay off the road ‘until TR Zeliang relinquishes his chair as chief minister.’