• Oppose inclusion of Chingmei Range under Noklak District
• Likely to call off stir after ‘positive overtures’ from State Cabinet
Dimapur, January 6 (MExN): A conglomeration of several Chang organisations headed by Chang Khulei Setshang (CKS) – the apex Chang Tribal Council has imposed an indefinite bandh in Chang areas with effect from 12 noon of January 6.
The bandh has been imposed following the government’s failure to respond to a representation made to the Nagaland State Chief Minister by several Chang organisations demanding exclusion of Chingmei Range villages from newly created Noklak District.
The organisations comprising of CKS, Confederation of Chang Students Union (CCSU), Changsao Thangjam Sethsang (CTS) and Tuensang Village Citizen Union (TVCU) in the representation had registered their strong opposition to the inclusion of Chingmei Range under Noklak and demanded it to be placed under Tuensang District administrative circle on or before January 5.
Chingmei Range consists of six villages - Chingmei, New Chingmei, Chendang Saddle, Waoshu, Yimpang and Taknyu.
“The Chang apex bodies headed by CKS and CCSU are dismayed over the failure of government response for which the indefinite bandh within Chang jurisdiction is being imposed,” stated a joint press statement appended by CKS President MP Nokshang; CCSU President Chingmak; CTS President Naong; and TVCU President H. Wongto.
However, police, paramilitary, medical and other emergency services have been exempted from the purview of the bandh.
“The exemption for administration is only within Chang Jurisdiction. Therefore, movement of the administrative officers and their vehicles beyond Chang Jurisdiction is prohibited,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, the State Cabinet today appealed the Chang Khulei Setshang (CKS) to call-off their ‘indefinite bandh’ in the larger interest of the Naga People.
“The decision to this effect was taken at the Cabinet Meeting held at the Chief Minister’s Office this evening,” informed a press release from the Media Cell, CMO Nagaland.
According to the release, the Cabinet, while upholding its decision of December 20, 2017 for the creation of Noklak District, decided that the “inclusion of Chingmei range villages in Noklak District must first be resolved amicably between Noklak Village Council and Chingmei Village Council before Government notification earmarking the boundaries of Noklak District is issued.”
“This exercise would be carried out by DC Tuensang under the supervision of Commissioner, Nagaland,” it added. It further decided that the District inauguration would be done only after the issue was amicably settled.
When queried about the Cabinet’s decisions, CKS President MP Nokshang told The Morung Express that it will wait till it is officially intimated to them. “We got the news through Whatsapp, but we will have to wait till the decisions are officially given to us,” he said.
The bandh will be called-off only after that, Nokshang informed adding it might happen most probably by the evening of January 7.
.JPG)
