New Market in Dimapur to remain closed till GB’s killers are arrested

DIMAPUR — Following Friday night’s killing of 61-year-old Abdul Kayum Talukdar, a GB of New Market, Dimapur, by unidentified armed assailants, the New Market Business Owners’ Association (NMBOA) has announced indefinite shutter down of the bustling commercial area until the killers are brought to book.

This was informed to the media by NMBOA working president Kevin Yepthomi on Saturday, right after the funeral service of late Talukdar held at the DMC parking facility, New Market.

While stating that the indefinite shutter down will not only affect the public but also the business owners, Yepthomi said the market will remain closed till the culprits are arrested.

“If the district administration or the law enforcement give a guarantee, then we will take a decision whether to lift the bandh or not. But they should give an assurance that the culprits will be booked,” he said.

As per sources, there are approximately 2,300 business establishments under New Market.

Condemning the killing, working president of Muslim Council Dimapur (MCD), Ahidur Rahman appealed to the law enforcement agency to arrest the culprits at the earliest and make the reason behind the killing public.

“We have the right to know why he was killed,” he said, recalling that a GB was shot dead by unknown miscreants in Dimapur in 2008, “but till today nobody knows who shot him and for what reason”.

Rahman went on to urge the public to cooperate with the police as well as not to spread rumours about the deceased and the incident.

Earlier during the funeral service, hundreds of people gathered to pay respect to the deceased. The presidents of MCD, New Market Business Welfare Committee (NMBWC), Naga Council Dimapur and several others delivered solidarity messages; condemned the killing and appealed to the law enforcement agencies to arrest the culprits at the earliest.

The late GB’s son expressed gratitude to all the people who extended their support and attended the funeral service.

It was informed that the mortal remains of the deceased will be taken to his native place in Karimganj, Assam, for the final rites.

Talukdar was fatally shot by unidentified assailants around 9:30 pm on Friday near Signal Basti Shaam Bazaar. A police officer had said that the GB was taken to Faith Hospital by two good Samaritans after the incident but was declared dead on arrival.