The indefinite “chakka bandh’ called by the All Commercial Vehicles Owners’ Association (ACVOA) of Mokokchung, Zunheboto and Longleng, and All Nagaland Taxi Association (ANTA) Phek and Peren units in the respective districts in Nagaland completed its fourth day on Monday. The associations are demanding the state government to immediately release the payments for usage of their vehicles during the General Election in February 2023.
Tongpang Pongen, President of ANTA Mokokchung, on Monday informed that the associations have decided to extend the bandh to all the National Highways in the districts where the “chakka bandh” has already been implemented. He also said that the bandh will affect Nagaland State Transport (NST).
Pongen further mentioned that vehicles of telecom services and government transportation buses were among the various vehicle being held by the associations in the districts,
Grateful for support from public: ANTA Mokokchung Unit
In a conversation with Nagaland Tribune, the ANTA Mokokchung Unit President expressed gratitude to the general public for their cooperation with the associations’ demands during the ongoing “chakka bandh.” Pongen mentioned that the Mokokchung associations held a meeting with Ao Senden, Ao Students’ Conference (AKM), and Ongpangkong Student’s Union (OKM) on Monday and the apex bodies had extended their support for their ongoing demands and were assured of possible ways to achieve them.
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Mokokchung ACVOA informed that ACVOA Wokha district will be joining the movement on Tuesday evening after the culmination of Tokhü Emong, the premier festival of the Lotha community.
AKM highlights multifaceted consequences of bandh
Meanwhile, in a press release, the Ao Kaketshir Mungdang (AKM) on Monday expressed deep concern over the ongoing ‘chakka bandh initiated by the ACVOA. The comprehensive assessment conducted by the AKM highlights the multifaceted consequences this bandh has brought to society, extending beyond the economic sphere and directly impacting the student community, it stated.
AKM reported that students who have diligently attended schools and tuition centres are now enduring significant inconveniences due to the disruptions caused by the bandh. This disruption to the daily lives of students is considered a matter of great concern, as education forms the foundation of society’s progress, and any hindrance to the educational pursuits of youth can have long-lasting repercussions.
Additionally, AKM stated that the bandh has affected the daily lives of the general public. Commuters are facing difficulties in reaching their workplaces, essential services are disrupted, and the availability of goods and services has been severely impacted. The prolonged chakka bandh has led to a decline in the overall quality of life for the community, it said.
In response to these developments, the Ao Kaketshir Mungdang earnestly urged the government to take immediate action and calls upon the authorities to expedite the disbursement of the dues rightfully earned by the All Commercial Vehicle Owners’ Association (ACVOA).
ACVOA protest justified: OKM
The Office of the Ongpangkong Students’ Conference (OKM) extended its “unwavering support” for the “chakka bandh” stating that the demands of the ACVOA were justified “as they have rendered their services, and the government should promptly provide them with their rightfully earned dues.”
OKM said that the ongoing protest is adversely affecting the economic well-being of the society and people are facing various hardships across all six districts and pressed the government to address these concerns swiftly and responsibly.
“It is imperative that the government should fulfill its financial obligations to these service providers to alleviate the current difficulties faced by the public.”
The OKM further called for an inquiry team to investigate the reasons behind the delay in the outstanding payments. It is crucial to identify the factors that led to this situation and ensure accountability in the process, it said.
NPCC demands immediate release of dues to ACVOA, ex gratia for victims of Tseminyu accident
