Dimapur, January 25 (MExN): Normal life came to a standstill on Wednesday owing to a 36-hour ‘bandh’ called by the NSCN/GPRN (Isak-Muivah). The group clamped the ‘bandh’ in protest against the “deliberate violation of ceasefire ground rules by the government of India, violation of human rights by disallowing the collective leadership from going to Zunheboto, deployment of security forces around designated camp Hebron without any provocation and placing unacceptable terms and conditions for the collective leadership.”
With the state government preferring to remain a spectator, all business activities, including movement of commercial vehicles, and almost all government establishments shut down for the day with the exception of the police and the state administrative machinery.
In Dimapur, shops and commercial establishments and even educational institutions remained closed although educational centers were outside the purview of the bandh. The NSCN/GPRN had stated in its earlier notice that educational institutions were included. But by the time the group issued a clarification that only shops and commercial establishments were to come under the purview of the bandh, schools and colleges had already shut for January 25.
As regards the ‘bandh’, Wednesday passed off sans any major incidents reported; it however was without anxiety, which was clearly evident in Dimapur. The commercial hub witnessed tight security arrangement as gun toting police and paramilitary personnel were seen deployed at all important intersections of the town. The inter-state check-posts at Dillai (towards Diphu) and New Field was also seen heavily manned by police, and so was the Chumukedima check-post.
Vehicular traffic was light. Preparations at the DDSC stadium to host the Republic Day parade went on. Some ‘paan’ shops and booze joints at isolated alleys, however took chances, doing business as usual. NSCN/GPRN MIP sources said that the bandh was “going on very well in full swing with business and educational institutions closed.” The NSCN/GPRN bandh will continue till 6 pm of January 26.
In Kohima shops and commercial establishments down shutter and the streets wore a deserted look. Although there was no restriction on movement of vehicles, vehicular movement especially public transport was low except for some few private and government vehicles plying on the roads. The capital wore an deserted look as public chose to stay indoors while all shops and business establishments remained closed. Police personnel were seen patrolling the streets. No untoward incident has been reported at the time of filing this report.
Four districts of Tuensang, Mon, Kiphire and Longleng witnessed a twin bandh as the Eastern Nagaland Students’ Federation also began its indefinite shutdown starting Wednesday in demand of solution associated with teachers’ appointment.
Public suffers exorbitant prices
It was the public again that were the ones who bore the brunt of a situation they had no hand in. Owing to the bandh called by the NSCN, a half-a-kilometer auto rickshaw ride in Dimapur skyrocketed from the normal rate of Rs. 30 to at least Rs. 50 per head. Likewise those lucky enough to walk upon an empty cycle rickshaw on streets, the going rate was reported at Rs. 20 for the perceived half a kilometer ride.
‘All the shops and fuel pumps are closed and we have to buy petrol in black (black market) at much higher rate. Rs 50 is the normal rate; in fact it is a huge loss to us as we have to pay higher for the fuel,’ an auto rickshaw driver said. It is understood that even the black marketers themselves charged higher prices for the fuel. For distances perceived to be normal (about a kilometer) drivers demanded Rs. 50 as hiring fare and anything beyond the distance was understood to start at Rs. 60 to above.
Another reason he gave for the abnormally high fare was competition – there were other auto-rickshaws to which the public would eventually, and without doubt, go to. Although the group had clarified that the ‘bandh’ did not cover vehicles and transport, not many of the public service providers wanted to take chances. Throughout the day, public members who owned no private transport could be seen walking in throngs. Very occasionally could an ‘empty cycle rickshaw or auto rickshaws be found. Those who found an auto rickshaw – although again there were only few that plied – pooled in their resources to pack in and travel.
As for the cycle rickshaws, the ‘going rate’ was understood at Rs. 20 for a distance of a block or two. Private vehicle owners didn’t have to worry about commuting but for the common man, their legs were all they had to make do with.
The problem was not only about transport – the need for essential commodities was another. “I walked all the way to town hoping to find even a pan shop that sold milk power; not even one shop is open. Even in the corners of Supermarket area nothing can be found,” a dusty citizen said (in Nagamese). It is understood that private vehicles owners commuted all the way to the Assam border posts such as Khatkhati as usual for essential supplies and fuel.
Bandh leaves Peren lifeless
Peren was lifeless on the first day of the ‘bandh.’ The town was quiet in spite of rumors going round in some pockets of the district that public institutions including educational institutes, hospitals and pharmacies were exempted. Shops, hotels, transportation, educational institutes, health centers and pharmacies kept their shutters closed. Students in uniform were also seen returning home. Major towns of the district including Jalukie, the biggest town of the district seemed uninhabited except for Indian Reserve (NAP) personnel and police patrolling the streets. “My business went down tremendously today since there were simply no people in the streets. But I don’t mind losing my day for a cause like this,” a doctor who runs a clinic in Jalukie explained. (Correspondent Athui Zeliang)
