DIMAPUR, MAY 30 (MExN): The Lotha Hoho and Rengma Hoho will impose total bandh of National Highway 2 from June 10 onwards.
A joint statement from Rengma Hoho President, Kenyuseng Tep and Lotha Hoho Chairman, Mhao Humstsoe said the bandh is being called as consequence of the failure of the National Highways Authority of Nagaland (NHAN) to implement the widening of NH 2, Tseminyu and Wokha sectors after waiting and appealing for several years. Since no widening work was taken-up on the NH 2 from 40km to VK Station, the two Hohos said it had submitted a joint memorandum on May 26, 2015 to which NHAN had assured that work would begin soon.
The minister in charge of National Highways had also assured the Hohos that work would begin within two weeks, as appeared in the media on September 30, 2015, the press statement pointed out.
With no action forthcoming despite these assurances, the two Hohos had expressed their resentment by way of a one-day bandh on October 7, 2015. But seeing no action even after a year had elapsed, the Hohos said it again submitted a ‘reminder’ memorandum, in the form of ultimatum to NHAN on April 30, 2016, for immediate widening of the NH 2, Wokha & Tseminyu Sectors within 15 (fifteen) days, from date of receipt of the ultimatum.
However, with the deadline of the ultimatum already passed, the Hoho lamented that there was still no sign of action taken by the NHAN.
The Hohos also claimed that they are aware, with documentary evidences that the inaction of the NHAN is due to “politicisation and resultant corruption in tendering and contract work allotment.”
Utterly disappointed with the indifferent attitude of the NH authorities, the Hohos said they have no option but to launch agitation by imposing an indefinite total bandh of NH 2, within the two sectors of Tseminyu and Wokha until the concerned authorities begin work.
The Bandh will begin from June 10 from 5am onwards and will include Sundays. However, paramilitary, media, medics on patient duty, ambulance and fire service on emergency will be exempted from the purview of the bandh.
The Hohos further informed that they have also decided not respond to any call by any authority, on the matter, except by way of negotiation at Tseminyu/Wokha.
