The indefinite bandh on NH 2 (former NH 61) within Wokha district proposed by Joint Action Committee, Wokha Village Youth Organization has been suspended, WVYO informed. Earlier, the bandh had been from 20 June 2023 with regard to issues concerning the ongoing two-lane construction of NH2 from KM 72.40 to KM 83 within Wokha district.
In a press release, the organization stated its decision after a meeting with the Deputy Commissioner of the district and all stakeholders on Monday where the DC assured “that all the 106 locations marked/identified during the Joint Verification will be totally evicted within 15 (fifteen) days after which normal works will be allowed to start.”
WVYO also said that “the JAC will resume the bandh if any of the identified areas/location are compromised in any manner.”
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In a separate joint statement by DC Ajit Kumar Ranjan, IAS and Executive Engineer, PWD (NH), Wokha Division, Er G Vikhepu Yeptho, it was informed that during the meeting, the house was apprised that PWD (NH) department had carried out a thorough inspection of all 106 locations and identified corrective actions to be taken at various locations. The report was handed over along with DPR/Contract Agreement to the JAC Convenor.
Also, TTC Infra India, the contractor, assured that rectification works on shortcomings highlighted in the verification report will be immediately initiated, it said.
Further, at the meeting, the District Administration briefed the house that all encroachment issues whenever brought to notice by the department or other stake holders are being addressed promptly and that Notices to 17 people have been issued since April 2023 and forcible eviction has also been carried out wherever necessary.
The PWD (NH) department and District Administration Wokha assured to continue to carry out eviction drive to address the issues and the house decided to set a timeframe of 15 days for completion of the drive along NH 2 where the JAC along with Lotha Hoho, WVYO, Lotha Students’ Union assured to provide all necessary support to the District Administration for removal of such structures.
The District Administration appealed to the JAC to withdraw the call for bandh as blockage of NH 2 would disrupt traffic to other districts and cause undue hardships to the people. The JAC was also informed of the illegality of the bandh, the statement said.
The meeting was attended by concerned Department Officials, Contractor TTC Infra Company. JAC members, Wokha Village Council, WVYO, Wokha Village Students’ Union, Wokha Village Eloe Ekhung, Wokha Village Elders’ Forum, Lotha Hoho, LSU, Wokha District Chamber of Commerce & Industry and well-wishers.
