In a press conference held today at Majakong Community Hall, Mokokchung Town, the Youth Associations of the four wards – Penli, Majakong, Lijaba Lijen and Artang – informed the public that they have initiated the implementation of an indefinite total vehicular bandh on the Dr Imkongliba Memorial District Hospital (IMDH) road from Police Point and the approach road to IMDH from Sewak Gate starting from 2 December 2022.

During the press conference, the Youth Associations highlighted that they had given a representation on 23 August 2022 followed by a joint statement on 27 September 2022.

They also mentioned an appeal release of a sanction amount of Rs 1.7 crore for the IMDH Mokokchung road maintenance to the Chief Minister of Nagaland through the Deputy Commissioner of Mokokchung on 17 November 2022.

While following its last ultimatum served on 24 November 2022 to the Higher Authority through Deputy Commissioner Mokokchung, it was announced that a time of six days was allowed for a positive response from the competent authority.

However, the Youth Associations lamented that with no response till date, the Associations unanimously resolved to block the road leading to the IMDH. They declared that the Total Vehicular Bandh would be imposed indefinitely from 2 December 2022 onwards, from 6am to 6pm.

It was noted that emergency cases will be exempted depending on the situation.

During the press conference, the Associations called for support from different civil societies, organisations and associations from all over Mokokchung.

They further mentioned that they had planned to carry out the indefinite bandh from 30 November. However, owing to Statehood Day being on 1 December, the Associations, respecting the day, decided to start the bandh from 2 December instead.

They also noted that if no positive response is received within the given time period from the concerned authority or from the administrative authority, they have planned to take up certain measures. For the time being, the Associations will focus on the indefinite bandh, they stated.

The IMDH road stretches from the main Police Point to Sewak Gate and it serves as an important route for all the citizens of the district.

The matter of restoring the IMDH road is for the benefit of all the people of the district, the Associations stated, and urged all the citizens and organisations to support their initiative.