Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 27
The business community of Nagaland has assured consumers across the state they have enough of essential commodities in stock to last for at least three weeks and that there is no reason to indulge in panic purchase yet.
This announcement from the businessmen of Nagaland comes in the backdrop of the 1000-hour Karbi-Anglong bandh called by the Joint Action Committee for Autonomous State beginning 5am on Monday.
Addressing newsmen in Dimapur today, president of the Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce and Industry Hokivi Chishi said that reports of scarcity of essential goods and petroleum products – which reportedly sparked panic buying in the streets of Kohima, especially at gas stations – were not true at all.
“I have talked with the officials of IOC (depot), district administration (Dimapur) and SP Dimapur, and I have been assured that we have enough stock (to last) for at least three weeks,” Hokivi informed.
He further informed that the officials from the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, the SP and the DC of Golaghat has assured police escort for Nagaland vehicles for as long as the bandh lasts.
Secretary of the Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dr Khehugha Meru explained that the Assam police would provide security to all vehicles traveling to and from Nagaland at 8 am, 11 am, 2 pm and 4 pm for as long as the bandh continues.
“There is no question of oil scarcity since we have an oil depot in Dimapur,” he said. The two representatives of the traders’ community of Nagaland also informed that the bandh would have no bearings in the districts of Mokokchung, Tuensang, Zunheboto, Mon, Longleng and Kiphire since their commercial route does not involve passing through Karbi Anglong areas.
While reiterating the message that the public need not consign themselves into panic buying, the duo rather encouraged the consumers to report “to the appropriate authority” if they notice traders taking ‘undue advantage” of the situation by hiking prices.
The Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce and Industry also expressed gratitude to the State government as well as the Karbi Anglong administration and police for their “initiatives” in ensuring that the bandh has no adverse effect on Nagas.
SUFFICIENT FUEL STOCK, SAYS GOVT
Additional Secretary to the government of Nagaland H Lungalang issued a press statement today saying that the State has sufficient stock of petroleum as well as diesel and that the public should not be misled by rumours of scarcity in the market.
He informed that since the petroleum products are transported by trains, there is no scope of any adverse affect due to the proposed blockade.
In another public information issued today, DC Kohima W Honje Konyak has informed that there is absolutely no possibility of shortage of fuel and essential commodities in the capital town as a result of the bandh in Karbi Anglong.
A DIPR report quoted Konyakas as saying that adequate security arrangements have been made by the Assam Police to regulate normal traffic in the bandh affected areas and that the public should not be misled by rumours regarding reported shortages.
The impact of 1000-hour Karbi Anglong bandh called by Joint Action Committee for Autonomous State (JACAS), which began this morning, is being felt in Kohima.
With the apprehension of shortfall and likely price rise of essential commodities, especially petroleum products, vehicle users were seen queuing up to fill up their vehicle tanks to keep stock.
The bandh, if goes on without intervention, will severely affect Nagaland as most of essential commodities reach the State via Karbi Anglong district in Assam.
The queue in petrol pumps added to the already chronic traffic jams throughout the State capital, which was seen even after the normal schedule for closure of the pumps.
A worker in a petrol pump said before noon, they had already sold 20,000 litres of fuel, which is higher than the normal days.
However, the petrol pumps in the capital are not worried about shortage stating that till the time the Central IOC depot in Dimapur has stocks, there is no need to worry.
On Saturday, Chief Minister TR Zeliang wrote to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh expressing concern about the bandh and said the states of Nagaland and Manipur have been worst affected by frequent bandhs imposed by various organisations in Karbi Anglong. He had expressed apprehension that the bandh would practically stop supplies of all essential commodities to the neighbouring two states and appealed to Singh for his personal intervention.
