Nagaland contractors’ and suppliers’ union (NCSU) Friday launched its phase-I agitation – poster and banner campaign – in all the 11 districts demanding revocation of July 10 state cabinet decision to constitute special investigation teams (SITs) to probe into the pending dues of NCSU. “We are not criminal, we are demanding for what is ours” read one of NCSU banners.

NCSU president Pele Khezhie while launching the phase-I agitation in Kohima said that the agitation was simultaneously launched in all the 11 districts. “The state government seemed to feel that we should agitate to show our strength to release the pending dues to the NCSU members,” he said.

“Most of the pending dues are with the departments of PWD (R&B), Housing and PHE,” NCSU president told media persons at his office chamber here soon after the launching the agitation.

“There is a total of Rs. 35,83,68,952 which is due to the members of the NCSU during the last 11 years and if the present government fails, NCSU will not hesitate its further course of agitation,” Khezhie said and hinted that phase-II agitation could turn ugly as its member could resort to blocking the roads and other services.

He said NCSU would fight to the last till its demand to revoke state cabinet decision.
“When, in almost all the cases the payments are made, there is no question of giving the matter for probe by the state vigilance commission,” he said and cited that there were some cases where only few hundreds rupees were to be paid to the contractors.

Stating that they resorted to agitation because of the state government, the union said it would not accept any verbal assurances unless it was in written.

 “If the state government failed to meet out demand, we’ll continue our agitation,” he declared. Meanwhile, NCSU has regretted for the inconvenience caused to the general public due to its agitation and sought cooperation from all responsible towards its cause.

NCSU Dimapur unit
In Dimapur, NCSU Dimapur unit Friday said it successfully staged phase-I agitation without any untoward incident. Unit president W. Khape and press secretary A. Tureng said the union members, as a mark of protest, displayed posters and banners at various locations in Dimapur.

The members reiterated that the agitation would continue until demands were fulfilled.
The union questioned the government as to how SITs were constituted to probe the pending bills when it has already been verified in 2002 by district level verification committee following which partial payment was made to the contractors.

“Therefore, the union firmly stand to fight further for our genuine rights,” they said and appealed to all responsible to extend cooperation even during its future course of agitation.