Public rallies support for Ao Senden; demands justice
Our Correspondent
Mokokchung | May 27
With the clock ticking on the indefinite bandh at the Mariani and Amguri road (National Highway 61) starting from 6 AM, May 28, condemnations over the May 24 incident continued to pour in from different sections of society. Concerned civil societies braced themselves for any eventualities that may arise out of the bandh. The Ao Kaketshir Mungdang (AKM or the Ao Students’ Union) has submitted a representation to the Governor demanding justice while the Mokokchung Town Lanur Telongjem (youth organization) has demanded a Joint Inquiry Team consisting of officials from the Assam and Nagaland governments to probe into the May 24 incident and the issues surrounding it.
However, unlike other bandhs, this is a unique one as vehicles can still travel within Nagaland except for the fact that vehicles cannot cross Nagaland gate at Tsutapela and Amguri side. No vehicles can cross over these two Nagaland check-gates (Tsutepela check gate and check gate near Amguri) during the Bandh period. The Ao Senden has advised Naga travelers to travel via Wokha-Kohima-Dimapur since no vehicles will be allowed to enter or exit through the two check gates bordering Assam.
Meanwhile, the bandh called by the Ao Senden has gained popular support from the citizens of Mokokchung, despite being aware of the apparent hardships, especially in relation to availability of essential commodities in the market. “We should bear an inflation of five to six rupees due to the bandh. How long can we be at the mercy of the Adivasis,” commented Rongsenla, an employee with the vernacular Ao Milen daily. Others also hold a similar view.
Mokokchung Chamber of Commerce & Industries (MCCI) President, Moasangba Jamir, informed The Morung Express that Mokokchung has essential commodities – like rice, lentils, salt, soaps, etc - in stock to last for about a month. However, perishable items like green vegetables, chilies, potatoes, onions are not in stock since Mokokchung does not have a cold storage facility. The local farmers also cannot supply these items since they do not cultivate these in large quantities. They can supply only a fraction of their produce after their own consumption, which is not enough for the citizens of the town.
Moasangba disclosed that the MCCI has made arrangements to transport essential goods from Dimapur via Wokha and Kohima but the price of the goods will be higher due to increased freight charges and taxes at different places. Informing of a meeting between the MCCI and the Mokokchung district administration on May 26, Moasangba disclosed that the MCCI has apprised the Deputy Commissioner to do something about the different ‘toll taxes’ in places like Dimapur, Kohima, Tseminyu and Wokha, so that prices of the essential goods imported from Dimapur would not be that high.
He also disclosed that the MCCI is willing to work with the neighboring districts to transport commodities. He further appealed for the general public to bear with the inconvenience caused and strongly support the Ao Senden, which is the apex body of the Aos and whoch is working for the welfare of the whole society.
MCCI warns traders
The Mokokchung Chamber of Commerce & Industries (MCCI) today sent out a strict warning to the shopkeepers not to sell their goods at exorbitant prices during the bandh period. A circular issued by the MCCI President, Moasangba Jamir directed shopkeepers to sell goods at the prices fixed by the Mokokchung Municipal Council.
Any shopkeeper found selling goods above the fixed MMC price will punished as per the provisions of the law, he cautioned. While appealing for shopkeepers to be truthful in their transaction for the sake of the public welfare, Moasangba asked consumers to report any shopkeeper selling goods at exorbitant rates to the MMC Administrator/ADC at 943601822, MMC Inspector – 9436076422 and MCCI President at 9436006169.
AKM writes to Governor
The Ao Kaketshir Mungdang (AKM) has submitted a representation to the Governor of Nagaland demanding immediate action against the local MLA from Mariani, Rupjoyti Kumri and the perpetrators involved in the May 24 incident, where Naga travelers were assaulted and their vehicles damaged.
While condemning the act, the AKM also demanded appropriate compensation to the victims and for the vehicles damaged. Besides, the representation also demanded setting up of a Police check post at the disputed border area for timely help during any eventualities. It further demanded “immediate completion of the proposed foothills road from Dimapur to Mon district.” The AKM representation appended by its president N Akok Lkr and assistant GS, Sashikaba Aier stated, “Your positive action towards the demands will be of immense help for peaceful coexistence with the neighboring state.”
MTLT demands Joint Inquiry Team
The Mokokchung Town Lanur Telongjem (youth organization) has demanded the government of Assam and Nagaland to set up a Joint Inquiry Team to probe into the whole May 24 incident at Mariani and also the alleged abduction of two Adivasi encroachers by Naga villagers.
“MTLT demands the both the government of Assam and Nagaland set up a Joint Inquiry Team consisting of senior officials from to investigate the involvement of the local MLA, Rupjoyti Kumri in the May 24 incident and also the land encroachment by the Assamese people at Saringyim or if any abduction was done,” stated a press release issued by the MTLT which was appended by its president, Imkongsanen and general secretary, Akangnungsang Jamir. “The findings of the joint inquiry team’s should be made known to the public for justification,” it stated.
While strongly condemning the May 24 incident, the MTLT called upon all right thinking citizens to join hands together in denouncing “such barbaric acts at Assam where even innocent women were not spared by the unruly mob”. It further said, “The educated section of the community residing in Mariani, in an age of women empowerment, failed to spare two Naga ladies causing them immense mental and emotional scars, which cannot be condoned at any cost.” While extending support to the bandh called by the Ao Senden, the MTLT appealed for the citizens of Mokokchung and also the neighboring districts not to panic but remain steadfast in the Ao Senden’s “quest for justice against land encroachment, harassment and intimidations by the Adavasis on Naga public.” It further added, “The MTLT feels that it is the right time for all Nagas, irrespective of tribes, societies and regions to stand united and join their heads together for the common cause.”
Furthermore, the MTLT urged all sections of the media - local, national and international – based in Nagaland and Assam to not sensationalize the issue but give professional and ethical reporting so that unnecessary situations and eventualities are avoided. The MTLT also appealed for the Nagaland state government ‘to minutely examine the hardships faced by the Nagas and come up with a concrete decision which will benefit all the people, especially those living in the northern and eastern part of Nagaland’.
