Business establishments across Nagaland downed their shutters for 12 hours on September 16 to protest against multiple taxation by Naga political groups and State Government agencies.
Morung Express News
Dimapur | September 16
The 12-hour total shutdown of all shops and business establishments in all 12 districts of Nagaland called by Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CNCCI) passed off peacefully and successfully.
“As per reports from all district units, the shutdown was implemented in toto with all business community as well as general public extending all cooperation and solidarity”, CNCCI President, Dr. Khekugha Murru, told The Morung Express.
“The call for total shutdown received prompt and positive response from all sections of society in Dimapur. We are grateful that it passed off peacefully and successfully,” he stated.
In the state’s commercial hub Dimapur, all trading and commercial activities came to a grinding halt in response to the call of the Dimapur Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI).
However, government offices, banks and educational institutions functioned as normal and there was no restriction on plying of vehicles including public transport and interstate passenger vehicles, except goods transport.
CNCCI and DCCI office bearers went round the clock to oversee volunteers stationed at the two interstate check gates—New Field and Dillai, and other strategic locations in the city.
At New Field check gate around 8:00-900 am, DCCI volunteers stopped a couple of commercial vehicles including an oil tanker from entering the state.
Meanwhile, scores of private vehicles from Dimapur were seeing crossing the border to buy fuel from Khatkhati as all fuel outlets in Dimapur also remained closed for the day.
Later, addressing a press conference, the CNCCI President said the state-wide shutdown was held to press four demands from the State Government—to act firmly on multiple taxations, inclusion of trade bodies in Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), implementation of SARFAESI Act, and scrapping of taxes from all items which fall under GST.
While thanking the State Government for the written assurance to address the demands, Murru however said the government assurance on multiple taxation and inclusion of trade bodies in ULBs was still vague. “Besides, on issue of multiple taxation, solution should be uniform and cover all districts and not Dimapur specific”, he said.
DCCI President, Akashe Zhimomi reiterated that multiple taxation has affected not only the business community but each and every citizen. The DCCI President made it clear that the business community can no longer cater to the demands of various groups as well as State Government agencies.
“How can one shop pay taxes to at least 13 governments including the State Government?” he questioned. The DCCI President said that the onus now lay with the State Government to decide and resolve on this issue.
Further, both the CNCCI and DCCI informed that in the event of State Government failing to address their core demands, the business community in all districts would be compelled to resort to the next phase of protest.
Meanwhile, the DCCI President and Secretary, Public Grievances Cell, Tino Jamir, expressed gratitude to all business associations under DCCI and volunteers for their selfless contributions in making the shutdown in Dimapur a success.
In Kohima, Akhrie Mor, General Secretary of the Kohima Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) said that the KCCI peacefully enforced the total shutdown of shops in the State capital.
No untoward incident was reported from any corner of the city. Meanwhile, the KCCI expressed gratitude to the various organizations who supported and cooperated with the KCCI.
The Wokha District Chamber of Commerce & Industry (WDCCI) also issued a statement appreciating the support of the business community in the district and the cooperation of the Wokha Circle Students’ Union, police and district administration for making the bandh peaceful.
The Mokokchung Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) acknowledged the people for understanding the plight of the business community.
“The people of Mokokchung are intelligent enough to understand that the brunt of unabated and illegitimate taxation or extortion by underground factions forcibly collected from the business community is ultimately being borne by the citizens, the general public,” a press note from the MCCI said.
It said that the money “extorted from the traders is money extorted from the public.” The MCCI stated that proliferation of extortion and illegitimate taxation in the market will lead to all forms of illegal and unethical business practices where the general public will, again, bear the brunt.
It urged the Government of Nagaland to meet the CNCCI’s demands without any further delay.
