[dropcap]D[/dropcap]imapur, which journalists, and a lot of know-all guys call it the commercial hub of Nagaland and they even call it a city. Fine. But is it? Dimapur may be a big place in Nagaland but it is not even a colony in, say, New Delhi. It is thus with regret that we get reports about the impasse vis-à-vis Urban Development department and the Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC).
So whom do we blame? Both are at fault. DMC rightly projected its views that the Government department need not always pontificate by sending orders/strictures from far away Kohima but must also take practical things into account. However, DMC is also not without a measure of shortcomings. Check back the appointments within the past one year and it stinks of nepotism, partiality and perhaps a touch of tribalism. And that too, by an officer who was supposed to be above reproach.
On the other hand, Parliamentary Secretary in charge of Urban Development, Zhaleo Rio, rightly appealed to them to call off their strike of total cease work and get down to brass tacks. For life must go on for the few lakhs of citizens/denizens/illegal immigrants in Dimapur. Why is it that people tend to disrupt things especially during the festive season which comes but once in a year?
The NPCC disrupted the first week of Nagaland’s fifty-first year starting by its bandh on December which also disabled the festive mood of people on World’s Day of Disabled Persons. No wonder, the Congress is not doing so well even as we read of the results on the five Assembly elections across India. Perhaps it will do better, who knows? There is still time by the way.
All said and done, however, perhaps the DMC must also introspect and take toll taxes accordingly but within reason. And surely then the public will also respond with enthusiasm. Your wisdom is the need of the hour.
