Morung Express News
November 29
DIMAPUR: Even as people residing in Tuensang district grapple with economic blockades being enforced at Noklak and Longkhim by different under-ground factions, another blockade looms large over the district with the Jorhat Truck Drivers Union threatening disruption on movement of essential commodities along the route leading towards Tuensang district. There are apprehensions that besides Tuensang, both Zunheboto and Mokokchung districts may also be affected if the stalemate continues.
The Jorhat Truck Drivers Union have decided to go on an indefinite bandh from November 30 following the non compliance by the Nagaland State Government over the union’s demand for Rs 3 lakhs as ex-gratia payment following the killing of a driver last year by armed miscreants at a place called Helipong in Tuensang district. The union had given time till November 29 to the Nagaland government.
The Tuensang ADC has reportedly recommended the case to higher authorities in Kohima to look into the demand made by the truckers union. As per Assam government criteria, ex-gratia payment in such cases works out to Rs 3 lakhs. For Nagaland, it was informed that the amount is Rs 50,000 which may extend at the most to Rs 1 lakh.
According to reliable sources, the Nagaland Commissioner has already put up the recommendation to the Home Department and a response from the latter was being awaited at the time of filing this report.
Meanwhile, as a pre-emptive measure, the district administration today ferried 25 truck loads of essential commodities to Tuensang town. District officials said that this will be sufficient to replenish the stock for Tuensang town for a certain period of time.
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