Indefinite economic bandh on

September 30, 2020 237 Views No Comment

Staff Reporter DIMAPUR, SEP 29 (NPN) : In the absence of any positive response from the State government to their demands, truckers under five truckers’ associations began their “indefinite economic blockade” from Tuesday morning.

The indefinite economic bandh was called by Dimapur District Truck Owners’ Association, Dimapur Truck Drivers’ Union, Dimapur District Truck Drivers’ Welfare Trade Union, Lahorijan & Khatkhati Truckers’ Welfare Society and Bokajan Truck Owners’ Association.

Banners and slogans that read: “Stop extortion in Nagaland”; “Stop illegal multiple taxation system in Nagaland”; “We want justice for late Jiten Gogoi”, etc, were hung at the New field Check gate.

Police sources said that initially till afternoon several trucks entering Dimapur were provided armed escorts but by evening, no truck arrived. The sources said some volunteers in Karbi Anglong had reportedly stopped Dimapur-bound trucks from proceeding further.

The blockade has brought movement of all trucks to and from Nagaland’s commercial hub to a grinding halt between inter-state check gates at Dillai and New Field.

The truck associations had demanded compensation for the family of the driver-Jiten Gogoi-who was shot dead in the wee hours of September 22 near IMC Hall Dimapur. They have also demanded that the district and state authorities resolve various problems faced by them in their ultimatum dated September 24.

Meanwhile, speaking with Nagaland Post, Commissioner of Police (CP) Dimapur, Rothihu Tetseo disclosed that investigation was on over the killing of the truck driver and police have identified the prime suspect besides interrogation of around 19 persons and also detained some underground cadres. He expressed the hope that the case would be cracked soon once the prime suspect was arrested.

Tetseo also said a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed for the purpose, headed by additional SP (crime). He also condemned the killing and said it “unfortunate” and which should not have occurred at this juncture, especially when the Naga peace talks were at the final stage.

Regarding providing police armed escort to trucks till Dimapur town/Chümoukedima check gate, the CP said it was being provided even before the police commissionerate was established. He also said police have been and will continue to provide any needed assistance.

Recalling his meeting with representatives of the truckers’ associations on September 26, Tetseo said an appeal was made to the associations to observe their indefinite stir peacefully.

Asked about complaints of extortions, Tetseo said 150 extortion cases were registered last year and that 160 persons were arrested under suo motu cases and investigations were also on, in which the police were complainants. The CP further claimed that not a single individual complaint had been received regarding extortion, and so urged upon public to cooperate.

“In the absence of cooperation from the victims, no amount of investigation will lead to any logical conclusion”, he said.

On the other hand, Lahorijan & Khatkhati Truckers’ Welfare Society president Khehuli Kibami reiterated that the truckers were demanding compensation for the victim’s family, booking the culprit at the earliest, revocation of multi taxation and rollback of lease system by Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC).

When asked about the demands of truckers to end the present lease system practised by DMC, which was said to be the root cause of these problems when lessees (contractors) actively involved in passing details of goods vehicles to miscreants, DMC administrator Albert Ezung explained that lease order was passed by the State government and issued through DMC. As per the order and directive of the government, he explained that the present lease system was for a period of one year and is to expire on December 30 this year.

Source: http://www.nagalandpost.com/indefinite-economic-bandh-on/222508.html