Public rally: Business establishments to remain closed in Dimapur

Closure of private schools, colleges ‘voluntary’

Our Reporter/ Correspondent
Dimapur/ Mokokchung, Aug. 4 (EMN): Business establishments will remain closed today (August 5) in Dimapur district in view of the proposed public rally called by the Nagaland People’s Action Committee (NPAC) for an early Naga political solution.

As per the Dimapur Chamber of Commerce and Industry, all shops and business establishments within its jurisdiction would be closed from 10 am till the rally gets over.

Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce and Industry further directed all the district chamber of commerce under its banner to shut business establishments for two hours during the rally. However, it said that the district chamber of commerce falling under eastern areas (ENPO) were exempted from this directive considering that there will be a public rally in all six district headquarters on August 9.

The Mokokchung Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) also informed the public that the business establishments and shops in Mokokchung district would remain closed for two hours on Friday.

The decision to this effect was taken by MCCI to extend solidarity to the call of NPAC is organising a public rally in Dimapur on the said day, MCCI stated.

Shamator, Wokha, Phek and Kohima District Chamber of Commerce and Industries had also appealed to the business establishments in its respective districts to down shutters for two hours, from 10 am to 12 pm. The Western Yimkhuing Hoho also informed all villages and unions under the hoho to take part in the rally.

School closure voluntary

Meanwhile, President of All Nagaland Private School Association (ANPSA), Dimapur unit, Dr. Andrew Ahoto confirmed to Eastern Mirror that the association had sent a letter to all the schools under ANPSA, requesting closure of schools under Dimapur district on Aug. 5, as per the request from NPAC.

ANSPA, however, added that the decision to close the school was voluntary.

Along with the private schools, colleges affiliated to the Private College Association Nagaland (PCAN) in Dimapur were also requested to remain closed in support of the public rally.

PCAN further stated that the request was only an advisory and the final decision would rest on the respective colleges. Further, it stated that colleges that had pre-scheduled engagements such as CUET exam centres, etc. were exempted from this advisory.

There were no reports on closure of government schools, till the time of filing this report.

Autorickshaw to ply

Meanwhile, president of Dimapur District Autorickshaw Drivers’ Union (DDADU), Tito Yeptho, informed this newspaper that autorickshaws would ply on Friday as usual. DDADU along with NPAC would provide free auto service up to the Supermarket area for those participating in the rally. However, only autos with the public rally sticker would be part of the free service.

The autorickshaws with the rally stickers will be available from Dhobinalla junction, Notun Bosti junction and DC court junction.