Kohima: Lotha Lower and Middle Range stakeholders issued a six-day ultimatum to the Wokha district administration on October 6. They demand immediate action against an alleged blockade of commercial vehicles by the All Commercial Vehicle Association (ACVA). Failure to act could trigger a total ban on Wokha town commercial vehicles past the Doyang Bridge at Thillong Village. The stakeholders warned they “shall not be held responsible for any untoward incident” if the administration ignores their demands.
The dispute stems from a July 13 ACVA notification targeting non-local and out-of-state commercial vehicles. Tensions spiked on October 2 at Zero Point Junction. Stakeholders allege association members threatened a driver hauling cement and water tanks and forced the vehicle back to Merapani. They accuse the ACVA of operating unauthorized checkpoints to intimidate drivers. LLRPO and LMRPO leaders argue that private groups hold no legal power to regulate interstate commerce, citing Article 301 and Article 19(1)(g) of the Constitution.
Civil society organizations, including the Merapani Village Council, Merapani Business Union, Yanmhon Area Public Organisation, and Bhandari town officials, met at Merapani Village Council Hall. They unanimously refused to attend an October 8 meeting organized by the ACVA. They resolved to reject any negotiations unless the district administration oversees the process. An Action Committee was formed to defend stakeholders if the situation escalates.
The ACVA issued a separate clarification on October 6, claiming their position was misrepresented. They denied seeking to block interstate trade. The association stated they simply want to give local entrepreneurs a fair chance to operate within the district. The ACVA added that it “does not advocate unlawful blockades, intimidation, forced stoppage or harassment of any vehicle or driver.” They have asked authorities to review legal and regulatory requirements for non-local commercial activities in Wokha.
Updated at 7th October 2026 at 2:02pm
Stakeholders previously challenged the ACVA mandate during an August 6 meeting, later pressing the group to revoke their July 13 notification via a formal letter on August 17. The current crisis hit a breaking point on October 2 when, according to the representation, the driver of a truck hauling cement and water tanks was threatened with the destruction of his vehicle.
Lotha Lower and Middle Range leaders warned that the association's tactics could spark retaliatory measures from neighboring Assam, threatening stability in a volatile border region. They demanded the DC issue a formal directive declaring physical blockades by private groups illegal and instructed the Superintendent of Police to deploy personnel along the Merapani routes to prevent further intimidation and wrongful restraint of drivers.
An Action Committee, spearheaded by the LLRPO and LMRPO with support from various local organizations, now stands ready to defend stakeholder interests should the administration fail to resolve the standoff within the six-day window.
Updated at 7th October 2026 at 11:00pm
Zathungo Yanthan, secretary of the joint consultative meeting, confirmed that participants from the Bhandari Lotha Hoho and Merapani Students’ Union joined the coalition of groups officially snubbing the October 8 summit. The coalition remains firm that they will not recognize or engage in any talks unless the Wokha Deputy Commissioner formally calls and oversees the proceedings.
The ACVA further clarified its stance by publicly distancing itself from accusations of an anti-outsider agenda. The association stated its objective is to ensure that lawful business continues peacefully while local entrepreneurs and the younger generation are given a fair opportunity to participate in the economic development of Wokha district.
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