Lotha CSOs intensify bandh; lock offices of Wokha DC & SDO (NH)

Morung Express News
Wokha | February 10

The indefinite bandh called by the Lotha Civil Society Organizations in Wokha district entered day three on February 10.

The escalation of the bandh in Wokha district resulted in the indefinite lockdown of the Deputy Commissioner's office and the closure of the SDO (NH) Wokha office. Moreover, strict restrictions on vehicular movement and the closure of commercial activities were enforced in toto in the district.

When this correspondent from The Morung Express visited both the offices, it was found that the CSOs after locking the offices had pasted pamphlets which read, “This office is locked by the Lotha CSOs and JAC in protest against the inaction of this office.” 

The Lotha CSOs maintained that since there has been no positive response from the concerned authorities on the third day of the bandh, the civil society organizations opted to prolong the bandh until they receive a written resolution addressing their concerns. The public of Wokha, meanwhile, assembled at the police point in a demonstration of solidarity with the bandh initiated by the CSOs. Concurrently, the public urged the government and concerned authorities to promptly address their demands. The DC and the Office of the PWD (NH) on February 9 had appealed to the Lotha CSOs to suspend the ongoing bandh while informing that sincere efforts were being pursued for early mobilization of machineries and workforce for resumption of the project. But this assurance was not enough to convince the CSOs to call of the bandh.

JAC tells DC to clarify status on balance of compensation money 
Meanwhile, the Joint Action Committee on NH-2 Two-Lane Construction (KM 72.40-KM 83.00), Wokha village has sought clarification on the status of remaining balance in R/O compensation money with regard to two lane construction of NH-2 (Old NH061) from KM 72.40-KM 83 within Wokha district.

In a letter addressed to the Deputy Commissioner, Wokha, the JAC highlighted that the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways technical note issued on January 8, 2020, has indicated Rs 1726.64 lakh against damage compensation (R&R) for widening from KM 72.40 to KM 83 on NH 61 for both “as proposed by State PWD” and “Amount Now Proposed.” 

Further, MoRTH note to Chief Engineer, PWD (NH) Nagaland dated February 16, 2022 on the subject “Widening of existing single/intermediate land road to 2 lane road from KM 72.40 to KM 83.00 on NH-61 in the state of Nagaland on EPC mode, had approved additional damage compensation to a tune of Rs 52, 75, 800 which would be met out from the Contingency provision of the instant job, it stated. 

The JAC calculated that the two amount as highlighted added to a total of Rs 17, 79, 39,800. 

The JAC then stated that the RTI reply furnished to WVYO by the office of the Deputy Commissioner, Wokha dated June 19, 2023 mentioned that “copies of APRs regarding payment of damage compensation pertaining to widening of existing single/intermediate lane road to 2 land road from KM 72.40 to 83.00 on NH-61” have been provided and the total compensation money distributed to all stakeholders till date amounted to Rs 16, 03, 62, 693. 

In this connection, the JAC, “in the interest of fairness, transparency and building up and restoring the trust, goodwill and confidence of the general public” requested the DC to clarify the status of the remaining balance of the said compensation money currently held in the account of the DC Wokha within a period of 7 days. The JAC said it would be compelled to approach the office of the Lokayukta, Nagaland in the event of failing to clarify on the same.