DNSU told to stick to student welfare

Morung Express News 
Dimapur | May 14

Dimapur-based organisations have asked the Dimapur Naga Students’ Union (DNSU) to confine its activities to student welfare and student-related issues. It came from the Dimapur Urban Council Chairmen Federation (DUCCF), Gaonbura Union Dimapur Sadar (GBUDS), Churches Colony Council (CCC), and Dimapur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI). 

The advice was part of a 6-point resolution adopted during a joint meeting on May 14 involving the DUCCF, CCC, DCCI, and GBUDS. The meeting was convened in response to the DNSU locking down a business establishment, JDS Interior Shop, in Churches Colony and summoning individuals over allegations of fraudulently obtained indigenous certificates.

The organisations condemned the shop’s closure, terming it an act of trespassing on the jurisdiction of the colony council and the DCCI. Instead of taking the law into its own hands, they held that suspected illegal activities must be reported to the established state authorities instead. 

“No one is above the law,” DUCCF President Zasivikho Zakiesato told a press conference after the meeting. According to him, the organisations acknowledged the work of the DNSU regarding the issue of indigenous certificate, but maintained that due process must be followed. He added that the verification of indigenous certificates involves grassroots leaders and the district administration, and non-governmental organisations should not bypass this system. 

The house resolved to appeal to the district administration to summon the accused individual, Girdharilal, for questioning in the presence of the DUCCF, GBUDS, DCCI, and DNSU. 

Another resolution insisted that the DNSU must not interfere in business issues without the knowledge of the DCCI. The organisations further resolved that failure to comply with the adopted points would result in the DUCCF, DCCI, and GBUDS withholding cooperation from the DNSU in the future. 

DCCI President Akashe Zhimomi stated that businesses operate after fulfilling procedures as mandated by law, such as securing trade licenses from the municipal council and completing GST registration. These processes, he asserted, do not involve student bodies. He said, “They cannot close down the shop. That is what we are demanding. If there is any issue, whether Indigenous or ILP, the law is there. The competent authority is there. They should approach them."

The organisations clarified that they support efforts to identify fake indigenous certificates but object to the methods deployed by the student body. CCC Chairperson Kuholy Chishi said the council should have been informed prior to the shop closure. “If they receive any such information, they shouldn't take the case into their own hands. They should report to the concerned authority,” Chishi said.

GBUDS President W Khole Kapfo stated that while colony chairpersons and GBs assist the administration and resolve minor situations through talks, serious matters must be reported to the administration. “However, when doing this, if they receive any such information, they shouldn't take the case into their own hands. They should report to the concerned authority,” Kapfo said. 

He further questioned the logic of organisations bypassing state mechanisms. “Why are we having district administration, law-enforcing agencies? They are there for a reason. But if we, as individual organisations, start taking up the work of the administration and law enforcing agencies, it makes no sense,” Kapfo added.