The first day of the second wave state-wide indefinite bandh called by the Naga Tribes Action Committee (NTAC) and Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) along with apex tribe bodies of Nagaland passed off peacefully on Monday.
DIMAPUR: In Dimapur the bandh from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. was enforced by Dimapur Naga Youth Front (DNYF) alongside the womenfolk in traditional attire. The bandh, manned by thousands of volunteers, passed off peacefully with no untoward incidents. All shops, business establishments, offices both government and central and schools remained closed and vehicular movements were restricted.
In Chumukedima town, a large group of volunteers manned the intersection at the second gate. Both young and old were seen along the NH-29 to keep vigil. Except for some emergencies, vehicular movement was totally restricted although some ambulances were seen occasionally ferrying patients to hospitals.
KOHIMA: The total indefinite bandh enforced by the Angami Youth Organization (AYO) in Kohima from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., under the banner of Nagaland Tribes Action Committee (NTAC), passed off peacefully. It was a total bandh, with no vehicular movement or pedestrians on road from 6 a.m. till 6 p.m. Hundreds of AYO volunteers kept vigil at every junction of the state capital.
Further, AYO asked all shops in Kohima to open after 3 p.m. to cater the needs of the public and also exempted water carriers to carry out their duty before 9 a.m. and after 3 p.m.
MOKOKCHUNG: The bandh called by JCC Ao Senden in Mokokchung district from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. passed off peacefully without any untoward incident.
Apart from those that were exempted from the purview of the bandh, there were no vehicular and pedestrian movements while business establishments, offices and institutions remained closed. Over 80 members from the six tribal units of ENPO Mokokchung unit also took part to enforce the bandh.
Talking to Nagaland Post, ENPO Mokokchung unit president, Y. Among Yimchunger, who was seen monitoring the bandh said ENPO came out in support of the bandh with the good understanding that it was for the cause of the Nagas rights. He also added that since a member of the ENPO has already sacrificed his life for this cause, ENPO would stand firm till the end. Among said more volunteers would be joining in the coming days.
Meanwhile, JCC Ao Senden has informed that it would intensify the bandh form Tuesday. In this regard, JCC has requisitioned volunteers from all the six ranges including students’ body as well as the range executive (Tsukong Mungdang) for the bandh.
KIPHIRE: The bandh in Kiphire district was partial as only government offices and government vehicles were barred from functioning.
The bandh was organized under the banner of Kiphire District Joint Coordination Committee. Educational institutions and business establishments functioned normally. KDJCC also held a poster campaign on February 11, demanding chief minister T.R. Zeliang to step down. KHJCC said the bandh on government machineries would till the demands of NTAC and JCC were fulfilled.
LONGLENG: Total bandh was observed in Longleng from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday under the banner of Phom People’s Council along with Longleng Town Students’ Union, Chamber of Commerce and Longleng Town Ward Union. However, schools were allowed to function. The bandh was peaceful with no untoward incidents.
Wokha: Hundreds of volunteers from all frontal organizations along with Wokha Village Youth Organization enforced the total shutdown under the aegis of Lotha Hoho Joint Action Committee at Wokha. LHJAC media cell said the entire town wore a deserted look as vehicles stayed off the road, people preferred to stay indoors.
ZUNHEBOTO: In Zunheboto, the bandh under the banner of Sumi Hoho enforced by the youth organization and volunteers passed off peacefully. According Sumi Hoho general secretary Vihuto Asumi the bandh would continue even on Tuesday.
PHEK: Chakhesang Youth Front (CYF) on Monday enforced total bandh in the Chakhesang region of Phek district. CYF president Welete Kapfo said the bandh was observed peacefully at Phek, Pfutsero, Chozuba, Chetheba, Chizami and Sekruzu town. Kapfo said the bandh would continue from 6 a.m. to 3.30 p.m.
MELURI: The Pochury Hoho along with Pochury Youth Association and Müluo Shefüri Kügharü also imposed total bandh on Monday in all Pochury areas. PYA general secretary Thomas Feedhu informed that the bandh from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. was peaceful.
Meanwhile, PYA has called for an emergency presidential meeting on February 14 at 10 a.m. at Pochury Hoho building, Meluri.
Women in big numbers enforce bandh in Dimapur and Wokha
Staff Reporter
Dimapur, Feb 13 (NPN): On the first day of the phase-II of the indefinite bandh in Dimapur, which began Monday from 8 a.m. till 5 p.m., normal life was totally paralysed as thousands of volunteers enforced the bandh under the aegis of DNYF. Riot police in their full gear along with some armed personnel were on static duty at various locations.
The interesting feature of the bandh in Dimapur was active participation of hundreds of women in different areas alongside the menfolk. Talking to this reporter, one of the woman volunteer said: “NPF leadership should understand that the only solution was that T.R.Zeliang resign as chief minister. NPF should not forget that it was we who voted them to power”.
Another school teacher, when asked about 33% women reservation said “we (women) are not a separate entity. We women are not lesser as we are accorded due importance today. We are leaders in many fields and successful as entrepreneurs. I don’t accept reservation is an issue with women in general. Maybe with some who are politically ambitious.”
Meanwhile, LHJAC media cell said that for the first time, women in large numbers from Lotha Eloe Hoho took part and assisted the volunteers in Wokha.