Alice Yhoshu
KOHIMA, OCTOBER 7
Exasperated over the negligence of the government authorities towards non-maintenance of National Highway-2 within Tseminyu and Wokha sectors which had been lying in a deplorable state for many years, the public of two tribes under the districts of Kohima (Rengma) and Wokha (Lotha) today resorted to shutting down the said highway to show their resentment on the government’s apathy.
A 12-hours total bandh on NH-2 within the two sectors was observed on Wednesday from 6 am to 6 pm under the aegis of the apex tribal bodies- Rengma Hoho and the Lotha Hoho. Police sources from both districts reported that the bandh was peaceful and no untoward incident had occurred.
According to the Rengma Hoho president, Kenyuseng Tep, the stretch of the mentioned national highway has remained neglected for about 20 years with no repair/maintenance works.
Tried and tested of their patience, the citizens of the sub-division and the districts including public organizations, students, youth and women organizations, commercial and contractors communities etc are reported to have extended their full support towards the cause. Tep said that the tribal bodies do not have any personal grudge against anyone. We are only trying to put across our resentment towards the attitude of the government department (PWD National Highways) neglecting this stretch of the highway for far too long, he said.
When contacted, Lotha Hoho president Mhao Humtsoe voiced similar sentiments. He said the responsible department was not coming forward despite numerous appeals made by the public on the dreadful road conditions which was causing inconveniences to thousands of commuters daily. He informed that the organizations met with the department officials to discuss the issue last Monday, however, nothing conclusive was arrived. The officials also reportedly implied that the department will be writing an assurance letter to the tribal Hohos but no such letter was received till date, the tribal leaders informed.
Today’s bandh encompassed about 120km of NH-2, 40km from beyond Botsa under Kohima division till Wokha district borders and about 80km on Wokha side. Many government officers have also expressed their support to the cause of the tribal bodies as they too bear the brunt of the bad road conditions traversing to and from their places of posting through this stretch.
Meanwhile, the Lotha Hoho and Rengma Hoho have extended their gratitude to all the civil organizations from their areas and those from Mokokchung district especially the Mokokchung Town Lanur Telongjem (MTLT) for showing their solidarity towards the hope of achieving better road connectivity which is the lifeline for a progressive society. They also acknowledged the GBs, district administration and police of Tseminyu and Wokha for ensuring that the bandh was carried out in a peaceful manner.
They have informed that in the event the department fails to initiate road repairing/maintenance works at the earliest, they would resort to calling an indefinite bandh. Such an event will likely affect not just the two districts as the NH-2 serves as a lifeline to other districts and many interior villages of the state as well.
