A makeshift bamboo pole tied on the baily bridge over the Chathe River to prevent heavy vehicles from passing through as the NTTU-led indefinite economic blockade on Peren district commenced on May 2. (Morung Photo)
Intensity of blockade to increase day by day, says NTTU
Morung Express News
Chümoukedima | May 2
The indefinite economic blockade on Peren district imposed by the Nagaland Timber Traders’ Union (NTTU) and its affiliated units commenced from 6:00am on May 2.
On the first day, volunteers from the union started the blockade by manning two routes connecting Peren with Dimapur/Chümoukedima districts and not allowing heavy vehicles to enter the district.
When The Morung Express visited one of the ‘blocked’ routes – the baily bridge over Chathe river to Peren, a makeshift bamboo barrier was seen tied on the bridge to prevent heavy vehicles from passing through.
However, it was informed that light vehicles, including passenger services were allowed on the first day.
The intensity of the blockade would be increased step-by-step each day, an NTTU official stated. Accordingly, he informed that from tomorrow, passenger taxis or buses will not be allowed to ply.
The official added that the union is planning to step-up the blockade thereafter, by not allowing private vehicles or even movement of people, in the coming days.
“We are ready to impose the blockade as long as it takes or until our demands are met,” he added.
Queried on whether there would be any exemption, he informed that security forces, police, civil administration, medical emergencies, students etc would be exempted.
Replying in negative as to whether the Peren civil society organizations (CSOs) have reached out on the first day, the NTTU official noted that it does not necessarily arise, given inclusive meetings before and its earlier demand to the State Government to resolve the issue.
On April 27, the NTTU submitted a representation to the State Government urging the latter to intervene and resolve the issue.
The government should intervene and negotiate to resolve the ongoing issues but we stand firm in our demand, the union official added, including its demand for recovery of the investment made by its members.
The NTTU claimed that traders operating in Peren district had already made investments to the tune of Rs 6,67,55,709.
On the eve of the blockade on May 1, the union alleged that some leaders within the Peren CSOs are “hell bent to keep the ban in force for their own vested interests” with the intention of forcing the timber contractors to have their round logs sawn and processed in sawmills located in Jalukie itself.
The NTTU earlier noted that the blockade was imposed in retaliation against banning of timber and forest produce emanating from Peren district, which the former termed as “uncalled” for and “unconstitutional.”
Citiing “rampant deforestation and exploitation of natural resources,” the CSOs of Peren district, on their part, “unanimously resolved” last September to impose a total prohibition on the passage of round timber from the district, except sawn timber and entrusted student organisations of the district to impose the decision and warned that defaulters would be penalised.
