An aerial view of Mokokchung Town, which will remain cut off from Assam till the border issue has been resolved. Various organisations have expressed solidarity to the bandh called by the Ao Senden that started at 6.00 am of May 28. (Caisii Mao File Photo)
Assam traders incurring losses of approx Rs. 1.50 Crore a day; goods from Dimapur arriving Mokokchung Thursday
Our Correspondent
Mokokchung | May 28
The total closure of the two check-gates connecting Mokokchung to Assam (Mariani and Amguri) by the Ao Senden kick-started from 6 this morning is slated to continue indefinitely until the government takes action on the three-point charter of demands submitted by the Ao Senden to the Chief Minister.
Unlike other bandhs, the people of Mokokchung are calmly enduring the bandh as there is free movement within the district. The Ao Senden has deployed volunteers at the two check-gates at Tsutepela (near Mariani) and the Nagaland check-gate near Amguri.
The Ao Senden, Mokokchung Chamber of Commerce & Industries (MCCI) and the district administration have made elaborate arrangements to face any eventuality. MCCI President, Moasangba Jamir informed that the first consignment of essential commodities from Dimapur will arrive in Mokokchung on Thursday, May 30. The prices of essential commodities will be reviewed after the goods arrive in Mokokchung, he said.
Meanwhile, petroleum dealers in Mokokchung disclosed that they have enough stock of oil to last for few weeks. There are four oil Pumps in Mokokchung located in different parts of the town and the workers in the pumps disclosed that their stock will last for some time.
Meanwhile, MCCI President disclosed that traders in Assam are incurring a colossal loss of approximately Rs 1.50 Crore per day. Mokokchung alone accounts for more than Rs 80 Lakh worth of transaction; and if transaction with other districts like Tuensang, Zunheboto and Longleng are accounted for, it comes to approximately 1.50 Crore per day, he disclosed.
It may be pointed out that this road blockage comes right after the three days highway-blockade imposed by the All Assam Tea Tribes Student’s Association on Nagaland that was lifted yesterday, therefore it is running into its fourth day, with a little relaxation last night. Northern and eastern Nagaland, by and large, remain the biggest business partners for Jorhat and Amguri and the closure of the check gates leads to huge losses incurred by Assamese traders. Meanwhile, there were reports of some unscrupulous traders trying to defy the Ao Senden bandh call and trying to transport coal and timber to Assam through the Amguri check gate late at night. On getting wind of it, Ao Senden President Dr. Sangyu Yaden disclosed that though the report could not be verified, the Senden sent more volunteers to check such plan for late night shipment of coal and timber from Nagaland. He warned that stern action would be initiated against anyone who defies the bandh.
The Ao Senden further informed that paramilitary forces, the medical department and the media are exempted from the purview of the bandh.
MMC directs traders
The Mokokchung Municipal Council (MMC) today strictly warned business establishments within the MMC jurisdiction and other towns/markets in the district to refrain from resorting to ‘hoarding of essential commodities and services’ in the market during the bandh period called by the Ao Senden.
A circular issued by the ADC& MMC Administrator, Chubawati Chang informed that it has come to the knowledge of the MMC that certain sections of businessmen within Mokokchung town are trying to resort to hoarding of essential commodities in the market taking undue advantage of the crisis for individual or selfish gains at the expense of the general welfare.
“Any dealer found practicing such illegal act, shall be liable for punishment under appropriate sections of law,” warned the MMC Administrator.
He further informed that ‘should any review of the existing rate of essential commodities be required in connection with this road bandh, concern authorities shall look into the matter taking into consideration all necessary measures for general welfare’. He therefore requested all concerned to bear with the situation.
The MMC, on Monday evening, detected seven unscrupulous traders, all non-local businessmen, selling tomatoes and potatoes at exorbitant rates in the town. All the seven of them were fined Rs. 500 since it was their first offense.
Naga Hoho expresses solidarity
The Naga Hoho has extended support to the initiatives of the Ao Senden in reaction to the Assam-Nagaland border eruption. Perturbed by the May 24 incident at Mariani, the Naga Hoho has termed as “highly questionable” the assault launched on innocent Naga travelers and damage of vehicles by a local MLA from Mairani.
“In this regard, the Naga Hoho strongly supports the initiatives taken by Ao Senden demanding for justice and to deliver certain mechanism for the welfare and interest of the common people in the region,” stated a press release from the Hoho’s President Keviletuo Kiewhuo and Assistant General Secretary Nikhrolo Khalo. The Naga Hoho has also asked the state government to “fulfill the desires” of the people for the construction of the foothill road that is the only “device” to “curb border tension and to protect the Naga travelers”.
Cautioning against the presence of “illegal immigrants” in the border areas who might try to “create bloodshed and communal disharmony,” the Naga Hoho appealed to both the governments of Assam and Nagaland to “examine cautiously as to why there should be frequent occurrence of border tension and to bring the situation into normalcy between the two sisterly states.”
MTAT supports Ao Senden bandh call
More support poured in for the Ao Senden bandh, the latest being the Mokokchung Town Aor Telongjem (MTAT) which extended ‘fullest support to the decision made by Ao Senden imposing indefinite closure of two connecting highways’.
In a press note, MTAT President Watimeren Longchar and General Secretary, L Bendang Lemtur blamed the ‘so-called temporary laborer section, who are not the aborigine that are creating frequent tension by way of attempting illegal encroachment of our ancestral land’ which spoils the traditional good relations shared between the Ahoms and the Nagas since from time immemorial.
“These illegal activities by the laborers will no longer be tolerated,” the MTAT declared. Besides, the MTAT also solicited support from ‘co-Naga tribes and well wishers’ to safeguard ‘our Naga-land’ and also ‘to eradicate such atrocities that disturb the prevailing peaceful relationship’. It further requested both the government of Assam and Nagaland to take concerted efforts to stabilize the issue at the highest level and ardently work for bringing about a solution at the earliest that would ultimately lead to a permanent settlement’.
MLA C Apok lauds Ao Senden
Congress MLA from 27th Mokokchung Town Assembly Constituency, C Apok Jamir today expressed appreciation to the Ao Senden for taking up issues of public interest and asserted that the present border issue between Assam and Nagaland needs to be taken up seriously by both the state governments at the earliest.
A press statement received here today from the Congress MLA stated that for a long time the people of Mokokchung have been undergoing untold hardships due to frequent bandhs called by Assam based organizations which led to scarcity of essential goods in the Naga areas.
In this connection, Apok termed it a bold step taken by the Ao Senden to shutdown the Mariani and Amguri roads and cut off all communication with Assam from Mokokchung side.
Besides, he also expressed satisfaction to see the entire Mokokchung public coming together in support of the Ao Senden’s decision to impose the bandh, despite knowing that there will be some inconveniences during the bandh period. Nonetheless, Apok said that the Ao Senden’s demand for the foothill road is a very valid one which has found popular support from different quarters including from other districts like Wokha and Dimapur.
While appreciating the proactive involvement of the youths of Mokokchung especially the Ao Kaketshir Mungdang (AKM) and the Mokokchung Town Lanur Telongjem (MTLT), Apok asserted that the youth’s involvement today will surely change the future of the younger generation tomorrow.
“I sincerely believe that the Ao Senden’s initiative will bear fruit and I urge the Nagaland state government to take concrete measures since the initiative of the Ao Senden is not only for the people of Mokokchung but also for the whole Naga people especially those living in northern and eastern side of Nagaland,” Apok stated.
While saying that he as the elected MLA from Mokokchung town fully endorses the Ao Senden’s initiative, Apok called upon the Ao MLAs to extend their support to the Ao Senden in ‘their endeavor to seek justice’.
“I sincerely hope that the Ao Senden’s initiative will find a concrete solution for peace, prosperity and harmony in the society,” said Apok while encouraging the Ao Senden and the public to stand united and firm and tackle any issue that will confront them with a clear conscience and with the interest of the public in mind.
