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A pedestrian walks across a deserted street during the bandh in Dimapur on Feb. 1 (EM Images/ Caisü Mao)[/caption]
Eastern Mirror Desk
Dimapur, Feb. 1 (EMN): The Core Committee of Nagaland Tribal Hohos and Civil Organisations (CCNTHCO) decision to call a state-wide bandh to boycott assembly elections in Nagaland proved to be a wash-out with zero enforcers and no volunteers.
Naga Council Dimapur (NCD) president T Bangerloba was seen addressing few of the Dimapur tribal hoho members present at the Dimapur DC court traffic island on Thur. afternoon. Talking to mediapersons after the address, the NCD president remarked the lukewarm response was ‘a historic moment for Nagaland as the bandh was going peacefully and smoothly without any volunteers or public’.
“Whatever programme launched is not only of NCD. It was chalked out, decided and given instruction to all the concern civil society and tribal hohos to take initiative of this bandh. Accordingly NCD also chalked out programmes and today as you see the bandh is quite successful and in the public ear I have announced and declared a peculiar bandh faced by the Naga people, bandh without volunteers quite successful.”
Affirming their stand on solution before election, Bangerloba said the bandh has been called because of the political issue and for many years Naga people have struggled to achieve the aspiration of Naga people rights and this issue has to be taken in the appropriate time.
When questioned what will be the plan of action of the NCD on nominations with lukewarm response from other districts, he responded, ‘tomorrow or day after, the core committee of Nagaland will take decision’.
The NCD president maintained that the bandh has the support of the masses while disagreeing that the call to bandh in Dimapur was followed out of fear.
Even after the call for state-wide bandh, ENPO areas, Wokha, Kohima, and Phek districts suspended the bandh. With this difference among the tribal bodies, when the NCD president was questioned if it was a sign of division among the Nagas, he refuted that the suspension of bandh in other districts does not mean there is division among the Nagas.
“Rather we have achieved our works with unification of factions and political parties who have come to a common platform not to sign candidates for elections. That is the achievement made by civil societies,” he maintained.
The streets wore a deserted look with all shops and business establishments, schools and colleges shut. However though the streets of Chumukedima town wore a partially deserted look, shops and markets remained open following a public announcement directing al shops to open.
‘No Judas in the family’
“Conscientious Naga people have spoken. Despite the differing voices of the leaders, the bandh has evoked emotional responses, perhaps reflecting the general sentiment of the common people. Dimapur district including Chumoukedima town wore a deserted look, likewise with Mokokchung, Zunheboto, Meluri, Peren and Tseminyu.
“In places where bandh was opposed, the people decided to support the cry of solution not election in different manners. Wokha town witnessed very few vehicular movements. Kohima town was removed of its bustling atmosphere with many people remaining indoors. All shops were closed in Phek, with prayer and fasting programmes held in different places for Naga solution,” read a statement from the CCNTHCO on Thu.
The absence of bandh enforcers, it pointed out, was an indication that the shutdown was voluntary. “Since the people’s response has been amply clear, political parties may reflect on this groundswell of public response. Any violation of the 29 January Declaration would be akin to betrayal. The CCNTHCO is hopeful that there will be no Judas in the Naga family.
“For those bent on filing nominations, it’s not only the political party which would be held responsible but even the tribe to which he or she belongs would be tainted by the act of these opportunistic individuals. The presidents and office bearers of all the apex tribe hohos and the civil society organizations are to compulsorily attend a meeting at Hotel Japfu, 11 am on the 3rd Feb’ as to chart our course of action. This circular should be treated as official.”
The Dimapur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) issued a statement informing all business establishments that the bandh was limited only till Feb. 1. “Therefore, the business community are informed not to be confused and résumé their regular business activity starting from 2nd February 2018,” it informed.
The 12-hour bandh was also enforced in Mokokchung district, spearheaded by the Ao Senden on Thu. amidst tight security. The bandh was peacefully enforced – starting from 6 am till dusk. All educational institutions and shops remained closed while vehicular movement was suspended during the bandh.