Dimapur and Chümoukedima business bodies accuse police, NPGs of harassment

Business community in Dimapur asked to open shops on Sundays during festive season

DIMAPUR — The Dimapur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) and Chümoukedima Chamber of Commerce and Trade Association (CCCTA) have taken exception to random checking of commercial vehicles by traffic police personnel at regular intervals.

In a press release issued after deliberating some of the pressing issues confronted the districts at a joint coordination meeting held at Niathu Resort, Chümoukedima, on Thursday, the two business bodies claimed that the police check commercial vehicles again at Hotel Tragopan junction, Purana Bazaar and a couple of check points till Chümoukedima town, even after crossing New Field inter-state check gate.

“What is the need to check a vehicle twice within a distance of less than 500 metres?” the bodies asked, while urging the concerned authority to intervene and stop such harassment immediately.

They went on to say that with the festive season having set in, “the business community is once again facing increased harassment and threats from the various Naga political groups in the form of illegal taxation”, summon letters, random raids to check the maximum retail price, expired goods, etc.

They said that the business community could be forced to close down without any notice if the harassment continues and the authorities fail to take action.

The two business bodies also said that the administrators of the Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) and Chümoukedima Town Council should consult the DCCI and CCCTA respectively in regard to fixation of price rate, as per the outcome of the meeting held between the team led by the Dy CM and the Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in 2021.

The DCCI also requested the business community to open their shops on Sundays, to facilitate shoppers from within the state and beyond in view of the festive season.