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Jorhat, March 15: Truckers from Assam today lifted their indefinite strike after Nagaland assured that full security would be provided to trucks plying on the Mariani-Mokokchung route..
The Nagaland administration also agreed to compensate two truckers — Kuldeep Singh and Rubul Ali — who were allegedly beaten up on March 6 by Nagaland police personnel at a checkgate, within March 25.
Driver Kuldeep was paid a compensation of Rs 10,000 by members of various truck unions from both Nagaland and Assam as a goodwill gesture today. The unions took part in a meeting at Mariani to solve the impasse caused by the strike, which began on March 11. President of Mariani Truck Drivers’ Association Arup Bora said: “We will launch a strike again if compensation is not paid by Nagaland within March 25.”
Truckers from three districts of Nagaland — Mokokchung, Zunheboto and Tuensang — representatives of chambers of commerce from the three districts, truckers from Assam and Jorhat district administration officials attended the meeting at Mariani today.
Although no government official from Nagaland attended the meeting, a written assurance from the Mokokchung district administration was sent to the Jorhat district administration. This was read out at the meeting.
The delegation from the neighbouring state informed those present at the meeting that the Nagaland government had issued strict instructions at all checkgates on the Mariani-Mokokchung route that truck drivers from Assam should not be harassed. Nagaland has also decided to intensify police patrolling on the particular routes to ensure security to the trucks.
The Mariani-Mokokchung route is the lifeline for the people of Mokokchung, Zunheboto and Tuensang districts of Nagaland. The bulk of essential commodities to the three districts are ferried by trucks through this route from the wholesale market in Jorhat.
These three districts would be facing an acute shortage of essential commodities if trucks refuse to ply from Jorhat.
This is not the first time that truckers from Assam have refused to ply to Nagaland.
A few months back, truckers had launched a similar strike.
On that occasion, too, they were protesting against harassment and beating up of truck drivers by goons in the neighbouring state who allegedly demand money and goods from the truckers.
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