The Local Traders Union, Super Market Kohima (LTUSMK) is compelled to issue this press statement to clarify the stand of the Union on the Super Market building Kohima matter, where the demolition work was carried out by Kohima Municipal Council and Kohima Village Youth Organisation at the instance of Directorate of Municipal Affairs, Nagaland Kohima.
That, Directorate of Municipal Affairs, Nagaland Kohima and Kohima Municipal Council were never a party to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the State Government represented by Deputy Commissioner Kohima and Local Traders Union, Super Market Kohima (LTUSMK) on 1/8/2003.
As per the MoU, the Deputy Commissioner Kohima was supposed to serve the vacation notice by giving one month notice to the LTUSMK and not the KMC or the Directorate of Municipal Affairs, Nagaland. However, in 2007 the Kohima Municipal Council superseding the MoU signed between the Government and the Union issued a notification on 1st April 2007 to the tenants to vacate the rooms within one month. Therefore, the LTUSMK took the matter to the court and obtain stay order. After which, the Angami Women Organisation (AWO) approached the LTUSMK to settle the matter outside the court. The Union on 26.6.2010 came to understanding with AWO and the stay order was vacated from court on 29.6.2010.
In the meantime, on September 2011 the KMC issued a vacation order to LTUSMK while the final vacation notice was issued on 11th of January, 2012 setting the last date of vacation as 20th of January, 2012.
Nevertheless, on 20th January, 2012 the LTUSMK submitted a representation to Chief Executive Office, KMC seeking cooperation in taking action according to the terms of agreement (MoU) made between the Government and Local Traders Union on 1.8.2003. Subsequently, the CEO KMC forwarded the representation and resolution of Local Traders Union, Super Market Kohima to the Additional Director of Municipal Affairs Cell, Urban Development Department, Kohima Nagaland on 21st January 2012.
Further, basing on letter written by CEO KMC to Additional Director of Municipal Affairs Cell, Urban Development Department, Kohima Nagaland, the Union on 10th February 2012 also submitted a representation to the Director Urban Development Department, Nagaland to restore the said agreement (MoU) to prevail failing which the Department would be held responsible for any undesirable activities committed against the LTUSMK interest. The Union also apprised the Director about some persons informing verbally to the Union on 5th February 2012 that a week time is given to them to vacate the Super Market building, failing to comply, the KVYO will take action to remove them from the Super Market building.
But, unfortunately while the Union was waiting for a positive response from the Department, the KMC and KVYO acting on letter dated 2nd January, 2012 issued by Additional Director, Directorate of Municipal Affairs Nagaland Kohima seeking assistance from KVYO President for vacation and demolition of Kohima Super Market, resorted to damaging the shops in the Super Market Complex on 13th of February 2012, which has caused lost of an amount not less then Rs. 10 crore, which includes damage and lost of property and economic lost. In this connection, the Union has set up a special committee and requested the members to submit the detail report of lost of property and goods. The Union will further submit the detail report to the Additional Director, Directorate of Municipal Affairs Nagaland Kohima for claimant of compensation.
The Union also condemns the action of the KVYO volunteers, who tried to physically assault some members of the Union and even using derogatory languages in the process of dismantling the Super Market Complex on 13th of February, 2012.
The Union would like to clarify to the general public that the Municipal Affairs Cell of the Department of Urban Development, Nagaland does not hold any legal authority to dismantle the Super Market complex and damage the shops because the LTUSMK had never entered into agreement with the Department. Therefore, the Union asserts to continue to fight for our rights till justice is delivered.
Sd/-
(NEIBANUO)
General Secretary,
Local Traders Union, Super Market Kohima.
