DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 18 (MExN): Taking serious note of the ongoing imbroglio between the NSCN (IM) and the All Commercial Vehicles Association (ACVA), the Lotha Hoho and frontal organizations has asked the NSCN (IM) cadres to exercise restraint and hand over the seized keys immediately to avoid any misunderstanding or confrontation.
Ignition keys of two Wokha based taxis at Khedi Transport Agency Tax Counter, Kezieke, Kohima were reportedly seized by NSCN (IM) cadres on December 16, 2017 for not paying tax. In protest, ACVA had called for a total bandh in Wokha district jurisdiction since December 18, 2017 onwards.
A press release issued by Lotha Hoho chairman Mhao Humtsoe and general secretary Er Mhondamo Ovungm termed the incident as unfortunate and questioned as to why any cadre should bypass the NSCN (IM) authorities of the Lotha Region to take any action against Wokha-based taxis at Kohima.
The Lotha Hoho also took note of the comments reportedly made by the NSCN (IM) cadres, “go to your place and earn” and questioned whether it meant to say that “Wokha-based taxis should ply only within Wokha and Kohima-based taxis should ply within Kohima etc.”
“If any genuine issue is to be discussed for any Wokha-based taxi, the matter should have been taken up through the Lotha Region authorities. By all indications, the bizarre action of seizing keys of Wokha-based taxis, at Kohima, is unauthorised and self centred,” the press release stated.
It also recalled that the NSCN (IM) Lotha Region and Lotha organisations have met twice, recently, on September 5, 2017 and December 6, 2017, since the NSCN (IM) has been keen to improve relations with the Lotha people. The Lotha organisations had welcomed the gesture and took the initiative as favourable and sincere.
In view of this, the Lotha Hoho has urged the NSCN (IM) not to let any wayward action strain the relation between the NSCN (IM) and the Lotha organisations.
Total bandh observed in Wokha
All commercial vehicles stayed off the road and business establishments remained closed within Wokha district jurisdiction in response to the bandh call made by All Commercial Vehicle Association (ACVA) Wokha over the “seizure of taxi keys” at Khedi transport agency taxi counter, Kohima allegedly by NSCN (IM) cadres for “not entertaining yearly vehicles tax.” A DIPR report stated that owing to the bandh, hundreds of vehicles were stranded at both the entry and exit junctions of Wokha district. Meanwhile Deputy Commissioner, Wokha Manazir Jeelan Samoon informed that the Wokha District Administration has arranged elaborate security for public security and also informed that the administration is in constant touch with State Government to normalize the situation.
