Empty Vegetable Crates being tied together in the once bustling area of Old NST in the state capital even as Kohima wore a deserted look on Saturday in response to the "indefinite shutter down" of business establishments across Nagaland called by the Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CNCCI). With grocery shops and vegetable markets remaining closed, most people also stayed indoors. (Morung Photo)
CNCCI announces shut down relaxation on April 29
Morung Express News
Dimapur | April 27
The Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce and Industries (CNCCI) call for an all Nagaland shutter down came into effect on Saturday as shops and businesses closed down in most of the districts in the State.
Except for educational institutions, government offices, banks, hospitals and pharmacies, all other commercial activities came to a grinding halt in protest against the rampant, multiple taxations by Naga Political Groups (NPGs).
In Dimapur, the epicenter of the protest, the shutter down passed peacefully with no untoward incidents. However, numerous citizens were seen making a beeline to the border over in Lahorijan, Assam to buy essential commodities including refueling of vehicles as all fuel stations in Nagaland remained closed.
While the public expressed frustration over the disruption to daily life, they however voiced solidarity to the cause of the CNCCI and the DCCI in its stand against the menace of rampant extortion and taxation.
Meanwhile, the CNCCI, through a press note, informed that with no satisfactory response coming from the Government it will continue with the indefinite shutter down.
However, a window period will be provided to citizens to stock the essential on April 29 keeping in mind that many district went for lighting shutter down without pre informing the public, the CNCCI informed.
In this connection, the CNCCI has urged all the respective District Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) presidents to allow window period for stocking essential commodities on April 29 from 12 Noon - 6 PM for citizens to be prepared for prolong shutter down till their demands are met.
The Kohima Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) and the Chümoukedima Chamber of Commerce and Trade Association (CCCTA) also informed in separate press statements that the indefinite shutter down called by Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CNCCI) will be relaxed on April 29.
The consideration has been made to enable the public to re-stock their provisions, according to KCCI and the CCCTA. The relaxation on the said date may be taken only as a window period, it stated.
Further updates on the resumption of the CNCCI indefinite shutter down will be notified to the public, the KCCI. The CCCTA said the indefinite shutter down called by the CNCCI will resume from April 30 onwards until further notice.
In Phek Town, Phek District Chamber of Commerce & Industry (PDCI) president Chetezo Akami told The Morung Express that it had observed the shutter down today in a peaceful manner. He thanked the public and civil organizations for their cooperation.
DCCI submits charter of demands to Chief Minister
The Dimapur Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) submitted a Charter of Demands to the Nagaland Chief Minister be addressed in respect to the indefinite shutter down which has began on April 26 in protest against rampant extortion and taxation by Naga political groups on the business community.
In the Charter, which was submitted to the Chief Minister through the Deputy Commissioner Dimapur, the DCCI demanded that the State Government immediately clarify whether taxation imposed by the Naga political groups is legal or illegal. Questioning whether the business community should pay GST or taxation to NPGs, it asked the Government to reply in “black and white” on this.
The DCCI also demanded that summons of business community to NPG offices, camps and monitoring cells should be immediately declared illegal and law enforcing agencies should be empowered to act on these places.
Raids on so called duplicate products, MRP tempering, expiry checking by NPGs should be immediately declared as illegal and zero tolerance maintained. Extortion, kidnapping and waylaying of transport should be dealt swiftly with full force with no impunity, it further demanded.
“These issues merit your sincere and prompt intervention as the business community cannot do business under t5he present inhumane situation. We request your good office to kindly address our grievances at the earliest, the DCCI stated.
