Tuli highway blockade chokes supply to 4 districts

Our Correspondent
Mokokchung, August 13 (EMN): With the indefinite bandh on National Highway 2 (erstwhile NH 61) called by the workers union of Nagaland Pulp and Paper Company (NPPC) Ltd showing no signs of relent, citizens of four districts namely Mokokchung, Tuensang, Longleng and Zunheboto have been left facing ‘a possible’ grim economic situation in the coming days if the authorities concerned fail to broker solution with the agitators.
With the Mokokchung-Mariani road (NH 702D), the secondary lifeline to the district, rendered un-pliable for commercial trucks carrying essential goods for the people, the citizens of the four districts were dependent on this lone alternate route for their commercial and everyday needs.
When Eastern Mirror correspondent reached the spot on Sunday, there were many commercial trucks stranded at the Nagaland-Assam check post; oil tankers, and trucks carrying LPG cylinders and other commodities.
It has also been learnt that the gas stations in the vicinity of Mokokchung district have been adversely affected prompting shutdown due to shortage of fuel.
Boycott of Independence Day
In an exclusive interview with Eastern Mirror, Noklenlemba, the president of NPPC Ltd Workers Union said that the employees of NPPC have resolved not to observe the 70th Indian Independence Day if the authorities do not fulfil their demands.
The workers’ union of NPPC Ltd has imposed an indefinite blockade on NH-2 at Tzudikong under Tuli sub-division of Mokokchung district. The employees are demanding immediate release of salaries pending since November 2016; immediate release of gratuity and payments for dead and superannuated employees; immediate rehabilitation of NPPC Ltd and implementation of the 2007 pay scale to the NPPC Ltd.
Meanwhile, separate statements from the Ao Students’ Conference (AKM) and the Langpangkong Students’ Conference have stated support to the agitating workers.
The AKM has asked the ‘competent authority to take drastic steps on the charter of demand proposed’ by the workers’ union.
The LKM appealed the government of Nagaland to be ‘sensitive enough towards the need of revival of the paper mill and plight of the workers of the mill’.