Lotha organisations allege Wokha vehicle blockade and threaten reciprocal ban unless authorities intervene within six days to restore commercial movement
DIMAPUR — A dispute over the movement of commercial vehicles in Wokha has triggered a potential standoff, with a various organisations from Middle and Lower Lotha ranges petitioning the deputy commissioner (DC) against an alleged blockade by the Wokha All Commercial Vehicles Association (ACVA) and threatening a reciprocal ban on Wokha vehicles within six days.
In a petition dated October 6, the signatories— LLRPO, LMRPO, YAPO, LLRSU, Bhandari Town Councillors, Bhandari Lotha Hoho, Merapani Village Council, Merapani Business Union and RALH—alleged that the ACVA had begun enforcing a July 13 notification restricting the entry of commercial vehicles from other states and non-locals into Wokha.
They stated that a commercial truck carrying cement, plastic water tanks and other goods was stopped at Zero Point Junction on October 2 while travelling towards Wokha town. According to the petition, association members allegedly threatened to burn the vehicle and forced it to return towards Merapani.
The signatories further alleged that unauthorised checkpoints had been set up at Zero Point to stop and turn back commercial vehicles belonging to people from outside the area.
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They added that the restrictions were disrupting movement of goods and causing financial losses to traders, businesses and drivers, besides inconveniencing the public.
According to the petition, several apex civil society organisations from the Lotha Middle and Lower ranges met on August 6 to discuss the ACVA's July notification and opposed it. They subsequently wrote to the association on August 17 seeking withdrawal of the notification.
The signatories alleged that despite the appeal, the association proceeded to enforce the restrictions from October 2.
They have asked the DC to intervene and direct the police to provide security along highways and entry routes to prevent the alleged stopping, intimidation or restraint of commercial vehicles from other districts and states.
The petition also called for the administration to declare any commercial vehicle ban or physical blockade by private associations illegal.
The signatories warned that if action was not taken within six days, they would impose a “blanket ban” on commercial vehicles from Wokha town entering their jurisdiction beyond Doyang Bridge at Thillong village.
They said they would not be responsible for any “untoward incident” arising from such action.