Morung Express News
Dimapur | February 1
Uncertainty reigned as regards the reach and success of the bandh called by the Core Committee of Nagaland Tribal Hohos and Civil Organisations (CCNTHCO) on February 1. While the CCNTHCO maintained a confident front, the call for general shutdown across the state took effect in only a few districts.
As per ground reports, only the district headquarters of Mokokchung and Zunheboto, Dimapur town and Meluri town felt the brunt of the bandh. Kohima, Phek town, Wokha, Tseminyu sub-division and the eastern districts remained open while it was partially felt in Peren district headquarters.
A Peren town resident said that businesses did not open in the morning hours before opening around noon only to down shutters in the afternoon. Business in Jalukie town remained closed the entire duration of the bandh.
In Dimapur town, the bandh was enforced by the Naga Council Dimapur (NCD). Unlike other general shutdowns in the past, there were hardly any bandh enforcers or volunteers. Businesses nevertheless remained closed throughout the day. The exceptions were Niuland, Thahekhu village and the Signal Basti area where shops opened.
Barring the Deputy Commissioner’s office, all other government establishments, including financial institutions, did not open. The DC’s office witnessed high security deployment with paramilitary and state police forces guarding the premises and surrounding area ready with riot gear.
Earlier in the morning, some volunteers who were deputed by their organizations to enforce the bandh in the DC office area were seen retreating.
NCD president T. Bangerloba later addressing a small gathering in the afternoon at the DC office junction said that no bandh volunteers were deployed in the immediate periphery of the DC office on the request of the Deputy Commissioner.
Vehicles both private and government, and public were seen moving freely without any hindrance as armed forces were deployed at all strategic locations. Traffic personnel were having free time grouped in conversations. Children played games on the road as vehicular movement was minimal.
Meanwhile, in Chumukedima, several shops did business as usual. Beginning 11:00 am, almost all shops opened after the Chumukedima Town Youth Organization, through the public address system, asked business owners to open shop or face the consequence of permanent lock down for those who did not comply.
Mokokchung town witnessed total shutdown with even vehicles remaining off the road. Volunteers of the Ao Students Conference assisted the Ao Senden in enforcing the bandh.
Meanwhile, the Sumi Hoho, in a press release, informed that it enforced the bandh peacefully in Zunheboto town. It acknowledged the “support and cooperation” extended by the Sumis in general to the Sumi frontal bodies “whenever our society is faced with problematic issues and situations.”
Stating that it will continue working in the best interests of the Sumis and the Nagas in general, the Sumi Hoho said that it will stand for Naga unity and “always fight for truth and justice.”
It meanwhile informed that any further course of action with regard to the forthcoming elections will be “determined by the decisions and steps taken by the core committee, CCNTHCO, the political parties and the Naga populace to either stand with the demand ‘Solution before Election’ or to go ahead with the 13th Legislative Assembly elections.”
No untoward incidents were reported from any part of the state during the duration of the bandh.
