Mixed response to shutter down called by DDCF

No untoward incidents reported, shops opened in pockets and outer peripheries

Morung Express News 
Dimapur | September 30

There was mixed response to the 6:00 am to 6:00 pm ‘shutter down’ for businesses called by the Dimapur District Citizens’ Forum (DDCF) in Dimapur on September 30. 

A conglomeration of 12 Dimapur-based organizations, as per the ultimatum submitted to the Chief Minister on September 29, the DDCF is opposing the State Government moving the Dimapur Deputy Commissioner’s office to its official seat in Chümoukedima, as sanctioned during the inception of Dimapur district in 1997, from the erstwhile ADC office complex. 

Barring the Dimapur Municipal area and Purana Bazaar till 5th Mile, businesses opened as usual. Business was normal in the outer peripheries of the district and as per official reports, Niuland, Medziphema, Chümoukedima and Dhansiripar were unaffected by the call for shut down. 

The New Market area looks deserted as shops and businesses closed down in Dimapur Municipal area and Purana Bazaar till 5th Mile on September 30. (Morung Photo by Soreishim Mahong)

The ‘total shutter down’ was near total till 5th Mile Model Village; but it was more or less business as usual, thereafter. Almost all shops along the highway till 5th Mile were closed, including some fuel outlets. In Diphupar/4th Mile Junction, only a single shop was seen opened, while the busy 3rd Mile and Purana Bazar area wore a deserted look. Though, private vehicles and public transport were plying normally, their numbers were limited.

Starting from 6th Mile, the entire Chümoukedima area remained open to business. 

In the Dimapur Municipal area, shops opened in pockets opposed to the shutdown without any disturbance. As an exempt category, medical outlets opened. There was minimal presence of the infamous ‘volunteers’ in places affected and unaffected by the DDCF’s bandh call. 

With two opposing camps clearly visible, the shut down passed off without any untoward incidents except a report about a commotion earlier in the day in Chümoukedima. The Dimapur police said it was a false alarm. 

CSOs reassert opposition
The organisations opposing the moving of the DC’s office reasserted their stand, in a press release. As per the release issued by the media cell, Dimapur Civil Society Organisations, it unanimously reasserted to stand by the ultimatum submitted to the CM on September 29 at an “emergency meeting” convened today at Tourist Lodge.  

It said, “The House further resolved not to consider the request made by the office of the Principle Secretary, Home, Government of Nagaland which was made merely through a Press Release, as the ‘Ultimatum’ submitted was addressed to the Chief Minister’s Office, Government of Nagaland.” It further resolved to form a Core Committee of all the Dimapur civil societies and frontal organisations to fight the “cause.”

However, there was no mention of the Dimapur District Citizens’s Forum in the release. 

MTMK for relocation 
Meanwhile, the Medziphema Town Mechü Krotho (MTMK) has expressed support to the proposed relocation of the DC’s office, Dimapur to Chümoukedima as resolved “unanimously” in the joint public meeting called by the MTMK with different tribal unions of Medziphema town on September 11, 2019. 

According to the MTMK, relocating the DC’s office “is a long felt desire of the people, especially due to traffic congestion, upgraded infrastructural complex and staff residences, spacious and healthy environment as well as easy accessibility for upper villages under Medziphema subdivision.”

It further expressed resentment against the Civil Society Organisations in Dimapur, which the MTMK said is opposing the move without valid reasons and appealed “all right thinking citizens to show their solidarity” to the government order. 

It disapproved of the day’s ‘shutter down’ in Dimapur stating, “Medziphema Town will not be able to abide by such haphazard action plans which have no mandate and consensus from the general populace.”