Beginning at 6:00 AM on February 8, a coalition of leading Civil Society Organizations and the Joint Action Committee in Wokha district has enforced an indefinite bandh on the National Highway-2 (NH-2), disrupting traffic flow and raising urgent demands for the immediate resumption of construction activities along the crucial stretch of the highway.
The decision to impose the bandh follows the expiration of a 5-day ultimatum issued to the Deputy Commissioner of Wokha on February 1, urging swift action to restart construction works on NH-2, specifically between KM 72.40 and KM 83.00 within Wokha district.
Prominent groups such as the Lotha Hoho, Lotha Eloe Hoho, Lotha Students’ Union, Wokha District Village Council Chairmen Association, Wokha Town Colonies’ Chairmen Union, and All Commercial Vehicle Association, Wokha, have united in this endeavor.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the lack of progress, the coalition stated that authorities, including the District Administration, State Department of National Highways, and the contractor, TTC Infra India, have failed to meet the stipulated deadline for work resumption.
During the bandh, vehicular entry from other districts into Wokha district is strictly prohibited, with citizens urged to make alternative travel arrangements. Intra-district vehicular movement, however, remains permissible, excluding government-registered vehicles.
Exemptions have been made for essential services such as police, paramilitary forces, medical facilities including ambulances, fire and emergency services, postal services, and press vehicles.
The bandh will persist until authorities address the coalition’s demands, which include redressing grievances communicated through previous correspondences and negotiations, and the immediate recommencement of halted construction activities.
