A 12-hour shutter down of all business establishments in Chumukedima area on Monday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., was total and passed off peacefully. The call was issued by six Chumukedima-based organizations to register their protest against the attack on two labourers by unidentified miscreant(s) on February 27 evening. The six organizations included Chumukedima Chambers of Commerce and Trade Association (CCCTA), Chumukedima Town Mother Association, Chumukedima Town Youth Organization, Chumukedima Students’ Union, Chumukedima Tribal Union and Chumukedima GBs.
Talking to Nagaland post, CCCTA president Avi Chase said the organisations had called for shutdown as solidarity with the victims and not create problems and disturb the peaceful environment of the state. Chase pointed out the attack on two labourers was the first untoward incident that occurred after the unanimous adoption of resolution on February 13, 2014 by the public, NGOs, Churches and all communities to extend full support to ACAUT Nagaland.He expressed hope that the government would take steps at the earliest to ensure peace and tranquillity in the area.
Further, the organizations have jointly appealed to the law enforcing agency to nab the culprit(s) at the earliest. Failure to arrest the responsible, organizations cautioned that they would take own course of action, adding that ACAUT has also assured to cooperate with them.
Meanwhile, CCCTA has expressed gratitude to all public for extending full cooperation towards the solidarity “peaceful closure” in and around Chumukedima..
ACAUT backs Chumu orgns
ACAUT has affirmed that it stood behind the business community and frontal organisations of Chumoukedima area and their call for downing of shutters on February 29, which, it said was “fully justified.”
In a press release, media cell ACAUT reminded that on February 13, 2014, the Chumoukedima area represented by the CCCTA, CTMA, CTYO, CSU, CTU, GBs, NGOs and churches had adopted ‘One Government One Tax’ and had also resolved that any trader violating the resolution not to pay tax to any of the factions would be expelled from their jurisdiction. Accordingly, ACAUT said the two traders were expelled from Choumoukedima for violating the public resolution of February 13, 2014.
ACAUT said shooting at two traders for non-payment of tax was not only a law and order situation but “akin to spitting” on February 13 public resolution, adding that it condemned the “wilful insult.”
Unless the demand of the Chumoukedima organisations was met, the ACAUT said it would have no other option but to resort to calling for shutter down protest on a wider scale.