Organisations back ACVOA ‘chakka bandh’; urges state govt to release pending bills

Ao Senden, Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC), Ao Kaketshir Mungdang (AKM) and Ongpangkong Students’ Conference (OKM) have extended support to ongoing ‘chakka bandh’ called by All Commercial Vehicle Owners Association (ACVOA) against the state government’s failure to fulfil its assurance with regard to the payments to the vehicles requisitioned during the 14th Assembly election 2023.

In a statement, Ao Senden vice president I. Imkong Jamir and general secretary Imtipokyim urged the state government to act promptly and immediately release the sanctioned amount to ACVOA to ease the sufferings faced by them in particular and the general public at large.

NPCC: Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) through its communications department said that “chakka bandh” imposed by the owners of commercial vehicles of Mokokchung, Tuensang, Zunheboto, Phek, Peren and Longleng districts due to non-payment of poll duty related dues was “critically hindering” the smooth movement of goods and people causing immense hardships to the inhabitants of the affected areas.
NPCC urged the state government to immediately release the dues owed and put an end to the inconveniences faced by the people of the affected districts.

Meanwhile, NPCC has claimed that the state government has still not handed over the ex-gratia for the eight deceased victims who lost their lives in the tragic accident that occurred in Kandinu on September 20 last. “It is a matter of great sadness and collective shame that we find ourselves being necessitated to remind the govt to uphold its promise,” NPCC said. Congress party asserted that both the issues could have been easily addressed without having had to cause so much distress. NPCC expressed hope that the government “somehow finds within itself the ethical and moral wherewithal to aspire for a little bit more than they do now.”

Watsu Mungdang: Apex Ao women organization, Watsu Mungdang, urges the Government of Nagaland for immediate solution to the demands made by the Commercial Vehicle Owners. They have rendered their services during the NLA elections and therefore their demand for payment of earned dues is quite justified.

In a press note, Watsu Mungdang president S Arenla Longkumer and general secretary Sungtiriben stated that the ongoing “chakka bandh” was causing a lot of inconveniences and disrupting normal public life. Watsu Mungdang stated that such prolonged strikes not only disturbed normal public life but caused heavy economic losses to the districts.

Watsu Mungdang has, therefore, urged the state government to release the sanctioned amount to the ACVOA and resolve the issue as soon as possible so normal public life could be resumed.

AKM: Ao Kaketshir Mungdang (AKM) through its vice president Onenpong and general secretary Satemmongba expressed concern over the “multifaceted consequences” the ongoing ‘chakka bandh’ has brought to the society.

AKM maintained that the repercussions of the ongoing bandh extended beyond the economic sphere, directly impacting the student community. AKM observed that students who have been diligently attending schools and tuition centres were now enduring significant inconveniences due to the disruptions caused by the bandh.
It said that disruption to the daily lives of students was a matter of great concern.

Further, AKM said the disruption caused by the bandh has also affected the daily lives of the general public. It said commuters faced difficulties in reaching their workplaces, essential services were disrupted, and the availability of goods and services had been severely impacted.

It said that the prolonged bandh has led to a decline in the overall quality of life for the community.
In light of thew above, AKM has urged the government to take immediate action. It also called upon the authorities to expedite the disbursement of the dues rightfully earned by ACVOA.

OKM: Ongpangkong Students’ Conference (OKM) through its president Limatongzuk Jamir and general secretary Sungkumjang Kichuissue expressed “unwavering support” to ACVOA protest and maintained that ACVOA’s demands were justified.
OKM stated that since ACVOA rendered their services, the government should promptly provide them with their rightfully earned dues.

Asserting that the public should not bear the brunt of these issues, OKM said the ongoing protest was adversely affecting the economic well-being of the society, and people across all six districts were facing hardships.
OKM has, therefore, urged the state government to take positive action immediately on the demand made by ACVOA.

Further, OKM called upon the state government to set up an inquiry team to investigate the reasons behind the delay in the outstanding payments. “It is crucial to identify the factors that led to this situation and ensure accountability in the process,” OKM said, adding that transparency and good governance should be prioritized to instil public trust and confidence.