EMN
DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 28
The Lotha Hoho and the Rengma Hoho on Monday announced that they would impose a “total bandh” on vehicular movements at NH 2 (erstwhile NH 61) within the two sectors of Tseminyu and Wokha. This was informed through a press release, issued jointly by the two tribal hohos.
“The Hohos are however utterly disappointed with the inaction of the said authorities (read NH authorities) and the Hohos have no option but to launch agitation by imposing a total bandh of NH 2 within the two sectors of Tseminyu and Wokha, on October 7 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.”
According to the statement, the resentment of the people of Wokha and Tseminyu is long overdue. “It is so because the people have waited for too long, the evidences of total neglect of the NH 2, under Tseminyu and Wokha Sectors, are too glaring, too obvious, seen by too many road users, too many vehicles unduly damaged, the people have suffered for too long because of the lackadaisical attitude of the NH Authorities of Nagaland.”
It reasoned that the rights of the people cannot be suppressed by any amount of rejoinders or clarifications published in the press. In fact, the Hohos wonder as to how the NH Authorities can be so indifferent, for so long, it stated.
“The Hohos want to ask if there is any road user who is satisfied with the road conditions of NH 2, under these two sectors. The hohos further ask if the people of Tseminyu and Wokha are excluded from Development benefits of Nagaland! Are NH funds meant exclusively for other sectors, only? The widening of the road for other sectors has been done more than a decade ago.
“But why leave out the middle portion (of Tseminyu and Wokha) and execute other sectors and then forget the left out sector? The concerned authorities know that a Project Report submitted must be pursued, giving the needed clarifications, at every level; technical, financial, administrative and sanctioning authority. But if left without pursuing, sanction will not come. So why blame the MoRTH, GOI? Also Routine maintenance works, in other sectors, such as Kohima sector, have been going on for many years, now; and so if not widening, what about normal maintenance works for the two sectors? Nothing so far! Is this really not discrimination?” it sated.
According to the statement, the “total bandh” will however exempt members of the state administration, police and medics. “All road users are advised to avoid plying on the said road sectors of NH 2, on the day of the bandh, it stated.