CSOs censure DNSU, threaten non-cooperation

Staff Reporter

DIMAPUR, MAY 14 (NPN): A joint meeting of four civil society organisations (CSOs)– Dimapur Urban Council Chairmen Federation, Dimapur Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Churches Colony Council and GB Union Dimapur (Sadar)– on Thursday adopted a six-point resolution condemning the Dimapur Naga Students’ Union (DNSU) for the forceful closure of a business establishment, while warning that the three organisations– DUCCF, DCCI and GBUD(S)– would not cooperate with DNSU in future if the resolutions were not complied with.
The meeting, attended by over 100 members, was held at Hotel Saramati and lasted for more than two hours, focusing on the recent locking of JDS Interior Shop at Churches Colony by DNSU.
Briefing media persons after the meeting, DUCCF president Zasivikho Zakiesato said the house thoroughly deliberated on the issue and adopted six resolutions. He informed that the meeting strongly condemned the action of DNSU in locking the shop, terming it illegal and an encroachment upon the authority of the colony council as well as the DCCI.
While acknowledging DNSU as a respected organisation, the house maintained that, as a student body, it should confine its activities to student welfare and related matters.
Zasivikho asserted that no entity should take the law into its own hands regardless of the gravity of the issue, and that any alleged wrongdoing must be reported to the appropriate authorities for action under established laws.
He said the meeting also resolved to appeal to the district administration to summon “GL Sharma” for questioning, in the presence of DUCCF, GB Union (Dimapur Sadar), DCCI and DNSU, over allegations of fraudulently obtaining a non-Naga Indigenous Certificate.
He further said it was resolved that DNSU should refrain from interfering in business-related matters without the knowledge of DCCI, and that issues relating to indigenous certificates must be routed through the district administration by any organisation.
Zasivikho said the house also emphasised that authorities should take cognisance of any “self-styled” decisions taken outside the legal framework, asserting that no one is above the law.
He also informed that the house warned that in the event of non-compliance with the resolutions adopted, DUCCF, DCCI and GB Union (Dimapur Sadar) would not extend cooperation to DNSU in future.
He maintained that while DNSU may have acted with good intent, it erred in bypassing established procedures. “They have done some right things, but they should have approached DCCI and district administration instead of taking the law into their own hands,” he said.
He noted that issues surrounding Indigenous Certificates were already being handled by the district administration and stressed that each CSO must operate within its defined jurisdiction. “Every organisation has its own perimeter, and it should stick to it,” he added.
Meanwhile, asked whether an FIR had been lodged against DNSU for the “forceful closure” of the shop, CCC chairperson Kuholy Chishi informed that although an FIR was initially planned, the decision was later withdrawn.
While appreciating DNSU for detecting the alleged forgery of an indigenous certificate, she said the concern was over the failure to inform colony authorities and taking the law into its own hands.
Questioning DNSU’s claim that no action was being taken by any CSOs, she asked whether DNSU had approached any CSO or union prior to the incident, reiterating that such matters should be reported to competent authorities rather than acted upon independently.
Further, DCCI president Akashe Zhimomi said the chamber was unaware of the incident until it surfaced in the media, adding that even the shop owner had not informed them.
While acknowledging DNSU’s contributions, he stressed that due process must be followed.
“DNSU is not a small organisation, and we respect them. But they should follow the system,” he said, while questioning under whose authority DNSU intervened and shut down the shop.
He also cautioned against summoning individuals to organisational offices for settlements, questioning what kind of compromises were being reached outside the legal framework.
On allegations of MRP tampering raised by DNSU, Akahe said such matters fall under the jurisdiction of Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC), while DCCI’s role was limited to safeguarding business interests.
GB Union (Dimapur Sadar) president W. Khole Kapfo also reiterated that maintaining law and order was the responsibility of the district administration and police.
He said that while colony councils and GBs assist the administration, enforcement of law could not be taken up by CSOs, adding that the matter should have been reported to the authorities instead of resorting to unilateral action.
6 POINT RESOLUTIONS

1. It is resolved that the action taken by the DNSU in locking the JDS Interior Shop located at Churches Colony, Ward No. 21 Dimapur, which is wrong and illegal. Therefore, we condemn it. It is subject to trespassing the authority of the Colony Council as well as the DCCI.
2. It is the considered view of the members present at the meeting that the Dimapur Naga Students’ Union (DNSU), as a student body, they should confine its activities to students’ welfare and student-related issues.
3. It is resolved that the DNSU, being one of the renowned and respected organizations, they should never take the law into their own hands, regardless of the gravity of the issue. Voicing out against illegal activities is the right of the citizens, but it must be reported and shall be dealt with by the appropriate and concerned authority as per the established law of the state.
4. It is resolved to appeal to the district administration to summon the accused, Mr. Girdhari Lal, for questioning in the presence of the following organizations: DUCCF, GB Union Sadar, District Chambers of Commerce and Industry, and DNSU, for fraudulently obtaining the Non-Naga Indigenous Certificate as alleged by the DNSU.
5. Henceforth, the DNSU shall not interfere in business issues without the knowledge of DCCI. And regarding the Indigenous Certificate issues, whether be it DUCCF, GB Union Sadar, or DCCI and DNSU, or be it any organization, they should report to the district administration. Any organization taking the law into their hands, the district administration should take full cognizance of these wrong, self-styled decisions. No one is above the law.
6. It is further resolved that the house decided that in failure to comply with the 5-point resolution adopted in today’s meeting, the three organizations—DUCCF, DCCI, and GB Union Sadar—will not cooperate with DNSU in the near future.