Morung Express News
November 24
DIMAPUR: Despite the Ceasefire Ground Rules clearly stipulating that there would be no blockade of roads and communications; disruption of economic or developmental activities as well as essential services by the NSCN (IM), the economic blockade being enforced at Noklak since the last one month continues with no sign of it being lifted in spite of the appeals made by various church bodies including the NBCC. There are also reports that similar blockade is being enforced at Chare and Longkhim area by the FGN.
According to information received, the NBCC had tried to meet the NSCN (IM) Kilo Kilonser but he was reportedly unavailable or out of station. An informal meeting with lower rank officials of the GPRN did not bear much fruit, NBCC sources told The Morung Express.
There were also unconfirmed reports that even the NSCN (IM) civil authorities had no proper knowledge about the blockade being enforced at Noklak. “The army unit of the NSCN (IM) is enforcing the blockade which is being done unofficially without the knowledge of the higher ups”, a public leader in Tuensang on condition of anonymity told this paper.
According to sources the NSCN (IM) and those enforcing the blockade are reportedly demanding payment of house tax from the 1500 odd households in Noklak which has not been paid for the last eight years. The outstanding amount accumulated over the last eight years is reportedly around Rs 14-15 lakhs.
Khiamniungam leaders based in Tuensang however said that the economic blockade was being enforced by the NSCN (IM) after their ‘failure’ to ‘penetrate’ Noklak region which is acknowledged as a stronghold of the FGN. “The economic blockade is a desperate measure on the part of the NSCN (IM) who are bent on harassing the innocent public for no fault of theirs”, a source remarked while also alleging about the inaction on the part of the State administration.
At the time of filing this report, there were no clear reports about the economic plight of people inside Noklak. According to a reliable source there are about 20 general provision shops selling essential commodities. “But since the blockade has been going on for the last one month, the essential items may have already been exhausted”, the source said.
Meanwhile, the Tuensang District Administration and police in a press communiqué clarified that they had not received any official communication from any underground factions regarding the imposition of the economic blockade on the Tuensang-Noklak road. The SDO (Civil) and SP of Tuensang district pointed out that they were ready to escort any vehicle carrying essential commodities to Noklak. The officials also informed that the police had escorted two trips carrying essential commodities, medicines, petroleum products to Noklak on October 27 and November 7. Pointing out that the Noklak Bazaar Union and other traders had not approached them till date for requisition of trucks and police escort, the officials assured of assistance if approached.
