Vehicles require muscle to negotiate the deplorable Longnak-Mangkolemba road. The citizens of Mangkolemba sub-division, Mokokchung have been waiting for over 3 decades for the Nagaland state government to repair the 11-km road, which links up with the Mariani-Mokokchung road (NH 702-D).
• Public protest over bad road turn into confrontation with ADC
• ADC allegedly made remarks about vote-for-cash fueling anger
• Publicly apologised from office balcony to calm angry protestors
Morung Express News
Dimapur | November 1
More than 3 decade’s worth of pent-up public frustration over government inaction and false election promises boiled over in Mokokchung’s Mangkolemba town today. A peaceful public protest to highlight the deplorable condition of an 11km long Longnak-Mangkolemba road, which was last repaired in 1986, turned into a confrontation with the government authorities.
The road connects the town, which is also the sub-divisional ADC headquarters, with the important Mariani-Mokokchung road (NH 702-D). The sub-divisional headquarters serves three ranges, namely— Tzürangkong, Japukong and Jangpetkong (formerly Changkikong), which in turn are home to two Assembly constituencies— Alongtaki and Jangpetkong, which are currently represented by ruling BJP legislators: Temjen Imna Along Longkumer and Dr Longrineken, respectively.
A conglomeration of civil society organizations of the town had served an ultimatum to the state government on September 26 to repair the Longnak-Mangkolemba road by the end of October. The deadline expired on October 31.
On November 1, the CSOs organised a protest march, which ended with the locking up of the PWD (Roads & Bridges) Divisional office as a mark of public resentment over the government inaction to repair the road as demanded.
It later turned aggressive with the agitated crowd of protestors picketing the ADC’s office. Concurrently, there was also a 12-hour (6:00 am to 6:00 pm) business shutdown as part of the day’s protest.
As per reports from Mangkolemba, the protestors had gone to the ADC’s office to officially update the locking up of the PWD (R&B) office. The ADC reportedly was not in office and turned up only later. When the ADC reached the office, he allegedly made remarks about the electorate selling vote during elections while implying it was the people’s fault.
This angered some youthful protestors, who became aggressive, and confronted the ADC. The ADC was taken to the safe confines of the office building by the CSOs leaders and his staff. During the melee, his personal security officer fired his service weapon in the air to keep the agitated crowd at bay, which further fueled anger.
The Convenor of the CSOs told The Morung Express they had gone to the ADC office, after locking up the PWD office, to inform of the step taken by the CSOs but the ADC turned up late. “It angered the public. He also made comments about taking money (by voters) during elections and his body guard fired in the air,” the Convenor said. According to him, three shots were fired. He claimed that the CSOs had earlier verbally informed the ADC of “taking further course of action” if no positive action was taken by the government to the public demand submitted on September 26. He further maintained that the PWD (R&B) office would remain locked until and unless the state government responds positively to the public demand to repair the Longnak-Mangkolemba road.
The crowd was eventually pacified after the ADC apologised.
The Deputy Commissioner, Mokokchung, citing the Mangkolemba ADC’s report, said that there was “heated argument” between the ADC and the crowd subsequent to which his personal security officer fired two shots in the air to “save the situation.” “As far as I know, in the heat of the moment, there was heated exchange. I don’t know what words were exchanged. Crowd got agitated.”
The DC confirmed the ADC apologising to the protestors, while adding that the situation was brought under control as a result. “I have submitted a report to the Commissioner, Nagaland that the situation is under control. I have requested that the issue should be settled as early as possible so that the situation does not escalate,” he added.
He though said that the situation does not warrant the promulgation of prohibitory orders.
Meanwhile, the DC said that he has directed the ADC to sit and discuss with the CSOs. “We are here to facilitate and put up the matter to the higher authorities,” he said.
