A truck stopped on the roadside during the indefinite bandh on NH 2 in Wokha which began on February 8. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Wokha | February 8
The indefinite bandh along the National Highway 2 (previously 61) in Wokha began at 6:00 am on February 8, with no untoward incident reported. The bandh has been initiated in protest of unsatisfactory works along NH-2, from 72.400 to 83.00 km, after repeated appeals and a memorandum were submitted to TTC Infra Pvt. Ltd., the State National Highway department, and the district administration by Civil Society Organisations along with the Joint Action Committee.
The JAC, along with Lotha CSOs, identified multiple anomalies during their inspections of the road construction earlier on multiple occasions. These anomalies, along with an RTI report on land and property damage compensation, were submitted.
Concerns were raised about the department and contractors utilizing properties or land compensation during road construction. Additionally, issues regarding the non-proper construction of the road as per DPR guidelines were also highlighted.
In response, the JAC and Lotha CSOs appealed to the road construction firm and the department to rectify issues in all 106 locations marked by the JAC. They emphasized on the need for rectification according to land compensation payments and technical specifications. These locations require technical rectifications as per the DPR, acquisition and utilization of compensated land, shifting of electric poles, proper wall and culvert construction, and drainage corrections.
The CSOs annd JAC informed that the indefinite bandh will continue with the same modalities until February 9. They added that if there is no positive response from the authorities by 6 pm on February 9, the indefinite bandh will be intensified with actions like indefinite lockdown of the Wokha DC’s office, indefinite lockdown of Wokha SDO (NH) office, and total restriction of all vehicular movement and closure of all commercial establishments in the district
Meanwhile, the following are exempted from the purview of the bandh: police, paramilitary forces, medical services including ambulances and private vehicles carrying patients or dead bodies, fire and emergency services, power department personnel with duty detailment slips from respective controlling authorities, postal services and press.
In cases of medical emergencies within the district, citizens have been asked to get witness documents from their respective Village Council authorities or Colony Council chairmen and produce it before the bandh volunteers to obtain car passes.
Final 10 days notice given to contractors: Wokha DC
The Deputy Commissioner of Wokha has meanwhile appealed to the Civil Society Organisations to keep the indefinite bandh in abeyance. The DC, in a letter to the Chairman, Lotha Hoho, informed that final notice of ten days has been issued to the contractor for resumption of work failing which necessary action will be initiated against the contractor. “In light of necessary action being taken by the concerned department, it is appealed to all concerned Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) under Wokha District to keep the indefinite bandh in abeyance,” the DC stated.
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