DUCCF and Gaonburas consultative meeting with non-Naga communities
Morung Express News
Dimapur | July 11
A purported ‘consumer drain’ into neighbouring Karbi Anglong district in Assam has had Dimapur experiencing a business slump of late. While there has been no statistical survey as yet, the alleged business dip has been attributed to a thriving illicit market ‘syndicates,’ driving price rise and consumers across the inter-state border to Lahorijan, Khatkhati and Bokajan.
This was one of the core issues that came up for discussion at a consultative meeting of Dimapur Urban Council Chairmen Federation (DUCCF), Gaonbura Union Dimapur Sadar (GBUDS) and Dimapur District Gaonbura Association (DDGBA) with Non-Naga civil society organisations of Dimapur city. The meeting happened on July 11.
According to the GBUDS, syndicates arbitrarily controlling food and other essential items have raised prices in Dimapur. The resultant price inflation has led local buyers to purchase goods from markets in Khatkhati and Bokajan in Assam, resulting in economic stagnation in Dimapur.
“Actually, regarding the syndicate system—whether it is for chili, garlic, potato, cabbage, or eggs—there should not be a syndicate. Just for the benefit of one family, lakhs and lakhs of the public suffer and face hardships when buying these goods,” GBUDS President K Hokuto Zhimomi told The Morung Express after the meeting.
Zhimomi added that they are jointly consulting with the Dimapur district administration and Dimapur Municipal Council to address the “syndicate system” and market rates.
DUCCF President Zasivikho Zakiesato said that the idea behind the consultative meeting was to get the views of the non-Naga residents of Dimapur on issues confronting them and business in general in Dimapur. The business sector in Nagaland is dominated by non-Nagas.
Zakiesato said that a coordination meeting of this nature had not occurred in many years. He said that the meeting was an initial discussion to study the issues facing Dimapur business-wise. “Our discussion is about how we can economically make Dimapur town stable,” he said.
Queried if the perceived ‘consumer drain’ is backed up by attestable data, Zakiesato replied that the state government should deploy its economists and statisticians to substantiate the claim.
The meeting also discussed grievances, including difficulties in obtaining state-sponsored health insurance schemes, faced by non-Naga residents, as well as the issue of ‘floating population’ and the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system.
A press release issued by the DUCCF Media Cell stated that the consultative meeting was necessitated as the non-Naga residents, alongwith their businesses, reside in the various localities under the guardianship of colony councils and GBs.
It described the meeting as “inclusive and constructive” helmed by the DUCCF, GBUDS and DDGBA alongside representatives from the Bihari Samaj, Nagaland Bhojpuri Samaj, Marwari Samaj, Jain Samaj, Agarwal Samaj, Gorkha Union, Oswal Samaj, Dimapur Bengali Samaj, Sikh Samaj, Telugu Samaj, Gorkha Youth Club Dimapur, Muslim Council Dimapur, Dimapur Meitei Council, Oria Samaj, Tibetan Welfare Dimapur, Brahman Samaj, and others.
It said that the key issues discussed included community welfare, the ILP “and matters pertaining to indigeneity… impact of floating population on city resources and services, seeking sustainable solutions to accommodate diverse groups while ensuring community stability.”
Monetary collection by a “multitude of unions” and the issuing of permits to such unions also came up with the house expressing concern about the burden it places on businesses and residents alike.
According to the release, the meeting was a step towards building a more cohesive and collaborative framework between Dimapur’s traditional apex bodies and the vibrant non-Naga community. It added that such consultative meeting will continue.
