Six district chambers of commerce and industry have declared their solidarity with the All Commercial Vehicle Owners’ Association (ACVOA) and urged the state government meet the latter’s demand.
In a joint statement, presidents of– Mokokchung Chamber of Commerce & Industry Tsukti Longkumer, Tuensang Chamber of Commerce & Industry Ebesola I Chang; Zunheboto Chamber of Commerce & Industry Kikheto Muru, Longleng Chamber of Commerce & Industry A Bonshi Phom; Noklak Chamber of Commerce & Industry Chongnean and Shamator Chamber of Commerce & Industry K Thsantong Yimkhiung, pointed out that prolonged strikes like the ongoing chakka bandh not only disrupted normal public life, but also led to heavy economic losses in the fragile market and bred an environment of mistrust.
Declaring their unwavering support to ACVOA’s ongoing protest against the state government’s delay in disbursing payments for services rendered during the 2023 Assembly election, they called upon the state government to swiftly and justly settle this matter and fulfil its commitments. They also said governance in Nagaland should not be confined only to some districts like Kohima, Chümoukedima and Dimapur.
They demanded that equal importance must be given to the remaining districts of Nagaland such as Mokokchung, Zunheboto, Wokha, Tuensang, Shamator, Noklak, Longleng, Kipheri, Mon, Phek, Peren, etc.
“The issues faced by our fellow citizens in these districts are equally significant, and their concerns deserve the same level of attention and responsiveness,” the statement reasoned.
According to them, the indefinite chakka bandh by ACVOA was a stark reminder of the frustrations faced by the commercial vehicle owners, who have been left with no alternative but to take to the streets to demand their rightfully earned dues.
They claimed that the delay in disbursing payments had caused financial hardships to the commercial vehicle owners and the government’s reasons for this delay were far from convincing. They stated that the situation was a manifestation of the disappointment and betrayal felt by ACVOA, which stemmed from the government’s unfulfilled promises and delays in clearing their payments.
They urged the government to act promptly and immediately release the sanctioned amount, emphasising on the importance of accountability, transparency, and good governance.
Stressing that it was crucial that the government honoured its commitments to the citizens and ensured that such situations did not recur in the future, the trade bodies called upon the state government to take this situation as an opportunity to learn and improve its governance.
They pointed out that it was the duty of the government to prioritise legitimate concerns of the citizens, irrespective of their location, promptly and transparently.