Total bandh in Wokha from today

DIMAPUR, DECEMBER 17 (MExN): The All Commercial Vehicle Association (ACVA) Wokha is imposing a total bandh within Wokha district from December 18, 6:00 am onwards. No movement of vehicles will be allowed, while businesses will also remain shut within the district, informed the ACVA Wokha. The bandh has been called in protest against the seizure of taxi keys by NSCN (IM) Kohima Region recently for not paying “yearly tax.”  

It was informed that the bandh will continue until the keys are returned. However, police, paramilitary, district administration, medical ambulance, press & media, postal service, and fire & emergency service will be exempted from its purview.  

ACAUT urges Naga political groups against indulging in criminal acts  

The ACAUT Nagaland today expressed shock that “despite the dire situation of the Naga political reality the factions would still indulge in anti-people activities thus hampering the Naga Cause.”  

A press note from the ACAUT Nagaland said that statesmanship of the Naga Political Groups is called for at this juncture. It however stated that “provoking the masses with condemnable criminal activities is not only foolish but creating roadblocks towards settlement of the Naga issue itself.”  

The ACAUT particularly pointed to two specific incidents—the seizing of a taxi in Kohima on December 13 and the kidnapping of a DAN secretary.  

“The Naga Political Groups creating such a situation is totally condemnable,” it stated and asked that the concerned groups take immediate remedial measures. The ACAUT asked that the NSCN (IM) Kohima Command/Region should return the keys of the taxis which its cadres had seized on December 13 to the rightful owners immediately and apologize publicly, “failing which the ACAUT will be compelled to file FIR and resort to other course of action.”  

In the meantime, it supported the indefinite bandh called by the All Commercial Vehicles Association to protest the manner in which its members have been harassed. “Again, to harass the ACVA would be a direct challenge to all right-thinking Nagas,” the ACAUT said.  

It further demanded that the NSCN (R) “clear the air surrounding their role in the kidnapping of a bonafide Naga,” pointing to the kidnapping of a DAN Secretary. It demanded that the NSCN (R) issue a public apology and terminate its erring cadres in case the organization is responsible. “The NSCN (R) should understand that it being a part of the Working Committee of the NNPG means that it’s imperative to act most responsibly,” the ACAUT said.  

No Naga Political Group, it stated should wreck the “Naga train desperately ambling towards its destination by indulging in criminal activities.”