Normal life was paralysed in the State’s commercial capital on Monday during the 12-hour Dimapur bandh called by Public Action Committee (PAC), Naga Council Dimapur (NCD), with not a single shop or business establishment opening for the day. The bandh, however, passed off peacefully with no report of any untoward incident from anywhere.
The bandh, which began at 5 am, was called off an hour earlier around 4 p.m. Streets wore a deserted look as volunteers brandishing sticks manned strategic points to enforce the bandh.
Dimapur Urban Council Chairmen Federation (DUCCF) expressed gratitude to the public for their cooperation.
When asked by Nagaland Post about the further course of action, NCD vice president Ghokhuto Chophy said “it depended on the police report.”
Nagaland Post also spoke to PAC convenor Vekhosayi Nyekha, who appreciated the support of Dimapur district administration and claimed that the bandh was both successful and peaceful.
He also apologised to all those who were affected during the bandh.
Meanwhile, in an unrelated incident, two persons died after the scooty they were riding collided with a car at Chumoukedima. While the car’s driver sustained injuries, both the scooty rider and pillion rider succumbed to their injuries.
Travellers reaching the State and students appearing for their exams were hit the hardest hit by the bandh. While those lucky could travel by their school buses, many had to either hitch rides from their friends or walk to school and back home. Some college students also had to walk for half-an-hour to reach their colleges in the morning.
Train passengers who de-boarded at Dimapur railways station were checked for their tickets by PAC volunteers at the rear exit of the railway station. Many were seen either carrying their luggage or dragging it along the road due to non-availability of any means of transportation.
Air travellers arriving at Dimapur airport, however, heaved a sigh of relief as they were provided buses and police escort to reach their destination.
Upon interacting with some of the travellers, they expressed satisfaction with the services provided by the Dimapur Police in reaching out to stranded travellers.
At the airport, some passengers said that several taxi drivers were charging as high as 2000 rupees for four passengers. Passengers were also given the option to travel to Chumukedima where taxis to Kohima were available.
EAC and Chumoukedima Town Council administrator Thejavizo Nakhro, who was present at the airport to oversee the assistance rendered by tourist police, claimed there was no untoward incident, adding that the bandh observed in Chumoukedima and Medziphema was voluntary in nature.
When Nagaland Post took a tour of the main town area, PAC volunteers were seen stopping both pedestrians and motorists to enquire about their destination and strictly enforcing the bandh. The lone bright spot on an otherwise grim day was the sight of children playing cricket on the streets.
Meanwhile, some sections of the society were displeased with the timing of the bandh as it was called at a time when festivities were just beginning to pick up, suggesting that the bandh could have been called on a different date.