Dimapur, November 26 (MExN): Following reports that there was a ‘stalemate’ in the DC level meeting between Mokokchung district and Assam’s Jorhat district on November 25, the Tzurangkong Range Naga Youth Front (TRNYF) on Thursday cautioned that the people of Tzurangkong would stop all trade and commerce activities ‘with those areas in Assam that are enforcing the blockade.’
The TRNYF issued a statement on Thursday asserting that it would not be responsible for those workers in Tsurangkong who are from the areas in Assam enforcing blockade and presently engaged in various industrial units within the area.
“The TRNYF is no longer in a position to protect them since the patience of the people is running out. We also appeal to the neighbouring and adjoining Naga areas of Tsurangkong for solidarity and initiate measures to stop trade in the border areas as a sign of resentment to the lackadaisical attitude of the government of Assam. In such a scenario we also appeal to the state government to immediately make alternative arrangements to supply essential commodities to the affected areas,” the statement read.
It also maintained that the ‘stalemate’ in the meeting between the district authorities was due to the ‘illogical and unreasonable demands’ made by Assam during the meeting.
“It has also come to the knowledge of the TRNYF that the authorities In Assam are engaging in pressure tactics using various proxy organisations in and around New Sonowal. This is evident by the fact that the district authorities of Jorhat have neither tried to stop the earlier blockade nor is there any information of suo-moto FIR against those organisations that earlier enforced the blockade against Nagaland at New Sonowal for 10 days. We are disheartened with the authorities in Assam, especially led by the DC Jorhat, that such illegal blockade was made to continue right under their noses.
“As cadres of the country’s civil and police services, they have chosen to turn a blind eye to human rights violations in their own jurisdictions,” it said, terming it as “an insult to their respected and prestigious services that they are part of.”
Stating that blockades on national highways are illegal according to the law of the land, it further contended that there have been various court orders across the country restricting blockade of roads and highways.
“To the organisations that have enforced the blockade we would like to remind that Nagaland does not share an international boundary with Assam, we are presently two states in India governed by the same laws. So enforcing blockades of essential commodities, disrupting power supply by disallowing free movement of workers etc., are against basic human rights,” the statement read.
“In spite of all issues at hand, trade and commerce should continue. That is the trait of a modern civilised society,” it said, appealing for good sense to prevail.
