Kohima, Feb. 14: The Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) and the Nagaland Tribes Action Committee (NTAC) Kohima have today reaffirmed that the state-wide bandh including opening of government offices and movement of government vehicles will continue indefinitely until further notice.
The NTAC media cell today issued a statement saying that the organisations fully understand the sufferings and pains of the general public as a result of the ongoing movement, and appealed to the general public to bear with the inconveniences.
“As you are aware, during the preceding days we have been persistently demanding TR Zeliang to step down from the chair of the chief minister of Nagaland owning the moral responsibility for the loss of lives. This demand is compulsorily made of him as he is directly responsible for the catastrophe caused by the government that he heads, and for the people.
“Being the head of government, it is expected of him to uphold the virtues of the high office that he holds rather than demeaning the office by banking on the numerical support of the elected legislators. The elected legislators must also take liberty to delve deeply into their heart of hearts and apply their conscience to morally uphold their position as elected leaders of the people to deliver justice, services and responsibility required of them. We expected the elected leaders to be sensitive to pain of the people and take worthily respectable steps and in the right earnest speedily,” the statement read.
The JCC and NTAC reiterated that there is no pleasure in calling bandh or causing inconveniences to the people, therefore, they expressed hope that the chief minister would listen to the people’s voice and take the “morally right decision” without further delay to meet the demand of the people.
“Only such a gesture would uphold the very respect, honour and sanctity of the public office that he holds and liberate the people from their agonising suffering,” the statement said.
AYO announces fresh exemptions
The Angami Youth Organization (AYO) today stated that it has unanimously decided to continue the bandh indefinitely in Kohima until further notice. On Wednesday, the bandh will be held from 6 am to 6 pm.
AYO, as the implementing unit of the bandh in Kohima, has decided to give exemption to the following establishments and institutes from the purview of the bandh: Fire & Emergency Service, medical personnel, students appearing exams, police stations, administration, press/media, NBSE/NPSC, para-military, and power sub-stations.
The organisation has warned that any hotels harbouring or entertaining political parties or government departments for official meetings and office works will not be tolerated. In the event such activities are discovered, the AYO cautioned that “hotel administrations shall be held entirely responsible”.
Bandh to continue in Tseminyu
In Tseminyu sub-division, the Rengma Selo Zi (Rengma Youth Organisation) who are enforcing the bandh, informed that the closure would continue on Wednesday from 9 am till 3 pm. The organisation has also made some exemptions including press/media, postal services, ambulance with patient, students appearing exams and teachers on duty from the purview of the bandh under its jurisdiction.
Meanwhile, stating that the first day of the NBSE examinations being conducted in one centre under the sub-division went by peacefully, the RSZ appealed to students and parents not to panic due to the prevailing situation. It also informed the public not to be alarmed with regard to availability of essential commodities
(Our Correspondent) The second day of the 12-hour bandh called by JCC (Ao Senden) in Ao territory went peacefully without any untoward incidents on Tuesday.
More than 700 students appeared the HSSLC examination at two centres as scheduled in Mokokchung today as JCC (Ao Senden) exempted the students from the purview of the bandh.
During the state-wide bandh, in Mokokchung representatives from six Ao ranges, apex student organisations of the ranges and various organisations in Mokokchung also joined the protest. Representatives from Eastern Nagaland People’s Union Mokokchung, Sumi community and Gorkha community also shared their solidarity with the Ao Senden during the bandh.
JCC (Ao Senden) has informed that the bandh timing has been rescheduled as 9 am to 3 pm on Wednesday, and the exemptions will be same as before.
It has expressed concern for the students appearing for the examinations conducted by the NBSE. To assist the students on examination related grievances, the JCC Ao Senden has also provided these contact numbers: 9865073008 and 9436436089 for assistance.
Meanwhile, the Mokokchung Town Pastors’ Fellowship has organised a mass prayer programme on February 16 from 6 am to 7 am at Mokokchung Police Point, for the current imbroglio in our state.
For the smooth conduct of ongoing board examinations of HSLC, Class XI and HSSLC, the Sumi Hoho (SH) has resolved to give relaxation during bandh hours under Zunheboto district to the following: educational institutions, medical services, fire services, police on duty, banks, postal services, electrical field staff and media houses.
(Our Correspondent) In Wokha, the bandh went off peacefully. Also, in a laudable initiative the Wokha District Autorickshaw Union (WDAU) has decided to offer free rides to students appearing class X, XI and XII exams.
WDAU officials told Eastern Mirror that the autorickshaws will pick up students from Police Point, Wokha till Forest Colony junction from 8 am onwards. While wishing the students luck, WDAU officials have also acknowledged its members for rendering such fine service.
The Chang Khulei Setshang has informed that – in solidarity with the state-wide bandh call under the aegis of the JCC and NTAC – the shutdown within Tuensang town will be intensified from Wednesday. According to a press release, the bandh will be in effect from 9 am to 3 pm.
“However administration, students appearing board examination, private and government vehicles on exam duty, invigilators, police/paramilitary force, medical/ Fire & emergency service are exempted from the purview of the bandh. The confederation of Chang Students' Union (CCSIJ) is empowered to supervise the volunteering activities throughout the bandh,” it informed.
