Brief respite for citizens as businesses open for a day across Nagaland

Shutdown to resume on April 30

DIMAPUR — Following a two-day state-wide closure of business establishments, residents of Dimapur will have a six-hour window on April 29, from noon to 6 PM, to purchase essential supplies.

This announcement was made on Sunday by the Dimapur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) which had called for an ‘indefinite shutter down’ to protest unabated multiple taxation, extortion and harassment on the business community by various Naga political groups.

“On the request of the Naga Council Dimapur and the Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce and Industries (CNCCI), the Dimapur Chamber of Commerce and Industry has decided to provide a window period by opening all business establishments in Dimapur on April 29, starting from 12 noon to 6 pm,” it said in a press release.

The closure of businesses created a lockdown-like atmosphere in Dimapur, prompting many residents to seek essential supplies and fuel in the neighbouring state of Assam even on Sunday.

“However, if there is no positive response from the state government to DCCI’s charter of demands, then the indefinite shutter down will resume from April 30 onwards,” it added.

Outside of Dimapur, the Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CNCCI) had announced on Saturday that residents in other districts will have a full day on Monday for procurement of essential goods, before resumption of bandh on April 30.

‘Extortion in Chümoukedima not as rampant as Dimapur’

In response to the business closures, Chümoukedima Deputy Commissioner, Abhinav Shivam, convened a meeting with local stakeholders on April 27.

While recognising the concerns of the business community, he emphasised that extortion in Chümoukedima was not as rampant as in Dimapur and encouraged a measured response that reflects the district’s specific situation.

He also acknowledged the proactive efforts of civil society organisations, youth groups, and the police in tackling illegal taxation.

During the meeting, the Chümoukedima Chamber of Commerce and Trade Association (CCCTA) stated that it had initially decided to close business establishments for only one day on April 26, as an act of solidarity to the DCCI.

However, as the CNCCI had already called for an indefinite shut down citing the inaction of the government, the association, as a federating unit, is constrained to implement the shutdown.

The indefinite shutter down called by CNCCI will remain effective in the Chümoukedima district and in accordance with CNCCI’s directive the shops will be permitted to open on April 29. The shutter down will resume on April 30, it added.

Further, CCCTA stated that goods are already “taxed” at Dimapur, creating a cascading effect in other districts too.

According to the meeting minutes obtained by the newspaper, the Deputy Commissioner of Police for Chümoukedima assured attendees that additional police forces were en route and would be deployed promptly to address the issue of extortion. Despite some officers being assigned to election duties outside the state, the government was reportedly making every effort to provide additional personnel to tackle the problem.

The Additional Deputy Commissioner of Medziphema raised concerns about the hardships faced by residents of the sub-division, due to fuel shortages and appealed to petrol pump owners to resume supplies immediately.

DC Shivam recommended that the trade body submit a detailed list of their demands to his office. He also proposed the formation of a collaborative task force or cell, involving the district administration, police, and civil society organisations, to address the situation with swift action and regular stakeholder meetings.

MCCI, EDBA informs on ‘window period’

Meanwhile, the Mokokchung Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) informed that all shops and business establishments in Mokokchung district shall remain open on April 29 and the shutter-down protest will resume from April 30.

“Public are kindly requested not to resort to panic buying during this ‘window period’. Furthermore, traders are cautioned against taking advantage of the situation and resorting to illegitimate business practices,” it said in a press release.

Cautioning that traders found indulging in such activities will face punishment, it informed the public to report any complaints or grievances to the MCCI by contacting the following numbers: 9436006062, 8415043591, 9436605461.

In a separate release, the East Dimapur Business Association (EDBA) informed that the shutdown will be relaxed on April 29 to enable the public to stock up essential commodities.

Further updates on the resumption of the indefinite shutter down will be notified to the public by EDBA, it said.

Also read: Dimapur CSOs urges DCCI and Nagaland government to solve indefinite shutter down issue in 2 days