Shops in Kohima, Chümoukedima to open on Monday

KOHIMA — The Kohima Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has informed that the indefinite shutter down called by the Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CNCCI) will be relaxed in the state capital on Monday, April 29, to allow the public to ‘re-stock’ their provisions.

“The relaxation on the said date may be taken only as a window period i.e. (one day); further updates on the resumption of the CNCCI indefinite shutter down will be notified to the public by KCCI,” updated the trading body on Saturday.

It came a day after the KCCI told reporters that it would find a window period for the public to buy essential items.

Similarly, the Chümoukedima Chamber of Commerce and Trade Association (CCCTA) also informed that the closure of business establishments would be relaxed in its jurisdiction on April 19 to enable the public to stock up essential commodities.

However, it said that the indefinite shutter down will resume from April 30 till further notice, while requesting the public to join hands in fighting injustice.

Meanwhile, the CNCCI has written to the DCCI, which is spearheading the agitation, stating that after a thorough deliberation at a “GB meeting”, it was “agreed unanimously to allow window period for citizens to stock the essential as many district went for lighting shutter down without pre informing the public”.

While stating that the indefinite shutter down would continue with the government failing to give a satisfactory response, it asked the DCCI to relax the agitation on April 29 from 12 noon to 6 pm, “for citizens to be prepared for prolong shutter down till our demands are met”.

It may be mentioned that the CNCCI’s call for a state-wide closure of shops for an indefinite period, starting April 27, took many by surprise, as it was supposed to be relaxed in places like Kohima after the 12-hour bandh on Friday, except for Dimapur, the epicentre of the agitation.

The vendors and traders dealing with perishable goods had to bear the brunt too. Left with no option, vegetable and fruits vendors in Kohima had to sell their goods by the roadside during early morning and late evening hours on Saturday.

Citizens were sees thronging these areas to buy whatever is available.

Some vegetable vendors and public told Eastern Mirror that the indefinite shutter down should have been made known well in advance so that they can prepare for it.

A vendor, who was selling bananas on the roadside, said that she had to find a way to sell it as it would rot if it is kept for another day.