Chozuba: Total road blockade under Phek district in Nagaland in protest against failure of Union of India to respond to the memorandum submitted by the Phek District Maytas-Gayatri Damaged Victims’ Association (PDMGDVA) began on Thursday.
The PDMGDVA imposed a road blockade on Chakhabama-Zunheboto 2-lanning road (under Phek district) & Pfutsero – Phek 2-lanning road. All the stretch of road from Chakhaba zero point to Phek and Zunheboto were blocked.
However, they exempted the movement of military, police, administration, medical duties, students’ board exam, funeral and wedding (on producing card/program).
Later in Thursday evening, the association had a meeting with the state government through deputy commissioner Phek and decided to suspend the blockade temporarily for another three weeks with effect from Thursday evening.
The latest updated press statement of the association stated that, they had temporarily suspended the first phase of 48 hours total road blockade after 6 hours of imposition on September 16 on both Chakhabama-Zunheboto, 2-lanning road (Under Phek District) & Pfutsero-Phek 2-laning roads. The DC held an emergency meeting with the Association at Chozuba Town and assured that state government will also give full support to the demand of the Association by pressing upon the Union of India the urgency to file its affidavit in opposition within three weeks time as prayed again by the learned counsel when the matter was last heard on September 15. In reciprocal action, the Association finally conceded to the sincere request of the state government and declared temporary suspension of the first phase of agitation for another three weeks.
However, the Association has conveyed to the authority its firm position to resume the second phase of agitation if Union of India fails again to file its reply to the court when the matter is listed after expiry of three weeks time.
Earlier, the association had issued a press statement stating that the indefinite road blockade was against the Union of India & Respondent No. 1 to Case No. PIL 9/2019, despite having prayed several times to Guwahati High Court, Kohima Bench for more time has repeatedly failed to file its affidavit-in-opposition thereby delaying the PIL process over a year and half, and having prayed again for another four weeks time when the matter was last heard on August 11, 2021, the matter is being listed again by the Court on September 15, 2021.
In view of such time sought, PDMGDVA had submitted a memorandum to the secretary; NORTH through chief secretary, Nagaland stating that should Union of India fail again to file its affidavit-in-opposition by September 15, 2021 as prayed, the Association will then impose Indefinite Road Blockade on both Chakhabama-Zunheboto 2-lanning road (under Phek District) & Pfutsero-Phek 2-lanning road w.e.f. September 16, 2021 to protest against the insensitivity of Union of India over the cry and endurance of the victims for justice.
The road blockade will be total and enforced phase-wise: First Phase will be for 48 hours starting from 6 am on September 16 to 6 am till September 18. If concerned/appropriate authority fails to give any positive response within this 48 hours blockade, the Association shall intensify the road blockade in terms of hours and days in the Second Phase and so on till the desired assurance or action is taken. Throughout the blockade vehicular movement on and/or link-road connected with (i) Chakhabama-Zunheboto 2 lanning road (under Phek District) and (ii) Pfutsero-Phek 2 lanning road will be affected. Construction Company of the two 2-laning roads will not be allowed any activity during the blockade.
However, exemption will be made on the movement of military, police, administration, medical duties, students’ board exam, funeral and wedding (on producing card/program).
The Association had, in the matter, humbly requested the public to extend support for the cause of thousands of poor victims and bear with the inconvenience during the road blockade. The Association also advised volunteers in respective villages/towns to ensure the democratic process of protest and maintain a peaceful atmosphere throughout.