More organisations have extended their support to the Dimapur District Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI)’s indefinite shutter down call of shops and business establishments starting April 26, 2024.
One day shutter down in Wokha: To show its solidarity, the Wokha District Chamber of Commerce and Industry (WDCCI) had decided to call for a shutter down in Wokha on April 26, 2024 from 6am to 6pm.
In a circular, WDCCI president Vungathung C Murry and general secretary Ponathung Kikon appreciated the “bold step” of DCCI and assured to take up any issue that impeded the business community at large. WDCCI has requested the general public of Wokha to bear with the inconveniences and extend their support.
ZCCI: Zunheboto Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ZCCI) at an emergency meeting resolved to stand in solidarity with DCCI. In a press release, ZCCI president Kikheto Muru and general secretary Inahoto Assumi stated that DCCI’s demands included a common issue affected all the business community. ZCCI expressed gratitude to the DCCI for taking a crucial stance.
ZCCI also resolved that it was prepared to extend full cooperation and participation to the call of CNCCI in case the government failed to take immediate and appropriate action to DCCI’s demands.
MTCC: Medziphema Town Chamber of Commerce (MTCC) has decided to for one day shutter down on April 26, 2024 in solidarity with DCCI. In a press release, MTCC president Ako Kuotsu and general secretary Medovituo Vüprü have, therefore, requested all shops and business establishments under Medziphema to remain closed on April 26, 2024. MTCC also urged the general public to support the common cause and expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to public.
EDAVCCF: East Dimapur Area Village Council Chairman Forum (EDAVCCF) affirmed full support and cooperation to the indefinite shutter down call by DCCI.
In a press release, EDAVCCF convenor Aheto Yeputhomi and general secretary PM Thaosen stated the “virus of unabated illegal taxation” by different NPGs and some unscrupulous individuals under the shadow of NPGs had “already filled to the brim”, adding that even unskilled manual workers were not spared.
The forum maintained that the hard pressing problem should be look into immediately by the responsible authority. The forum has directed all the 20 village councils under east Dimapur area to “resolutely cooperate and shutter down the business establishment till further information.”
TCC: Trade and Commerce Committee (TCC) under Diphupar Village Council at a meeting on April 25, 2024 resolved to support the DCCI call for indefinite shutter down of business community. In a press release, TCC convenor S Thong and secretary Toyiho Swu also directed all the business establishment within Diphupar village jurisdiction to remain closed on April 26, 2024 in solidarity with DCCI.
WSH: Western Sumi Hoho (WSH) along with its frontal organizations have affirmed full support to the DCCI’s decision to launch an indefinite shutdown starting April 26, 2024.
WSH through its media cell expressed concern over the menace of multiple taxation and other anti-social activities being perpetrated upon the common citizens especially against the business community under the shadows of the delay in the settlement of the Naga political issue.
WSH stated that delay in resolving the Naga political issue was seen as the root cause of all the social issues in the State. The Hoho has urged the central government, state government, and all NPGs to prioritise finding a permanent solution that reflected the aspirations of the Naga people.
WSH stated that further delays could reduce the Naga political issue to “a mere law and order problem”, disregarding the Naga people’s desire for a dignified resolution. Further, the hoho emphasized the urgency of resolving the Naga political issue to ensure lasting peace and stability in the region. It also called upon all stakeholders towards finding a permanent solution at the earliest. WSH appealed to all the stakeholders to expedite the process and address the legitimate grievances of the people.
MCCI: Expressing solidarity with the DCCI, the Mokokchung Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI) stated that the present situation in Dimapur – and Nagaland as a whole – warranted “a real shake-up” and described as “necessary and commendable” the measures taken by the DCCI.
In a press release, MCCI President Tsukti Longkumer and general secretary Limalenden Longkumer recalled that Mokokchung underwent a similar situation in the 1990s and early 2000s when Naga political groups took Mokokchung for ransom. “The people eventually said enough is enough and took matters into their own hands,” MCCI said, adding that as a result, Mokokchung was relatively the most peaceful town in Nagaland today and was the least affected by the menace of extortion by NPGs in the name of the Naga national movement. “We feel the pain endured by Dimapur and we support the actions taken by the DCCI,” the chamber said.
MCCI stated that the NPGs “must cease and desist from their illegal activities” or face the wrath of the people. It also urged the state government to prioritise restoring law and order, adding that peace and security of the people should be government’s priority. MCCI said that by not taming the anti-social elements, the state government was viewed as aiding and abetting them.
Pointing out that Dimapur was supposed to be the “commercial hub” of Nagaland, the MCCI, however, said Dimapur has become “a city of renegades.”
It stated that there was not a single commercial vehicle operating between the so-called “commercial hub” and Mokokchung except for some passenger vehicles. MCCI said most commodities costing more Dimapur than in Mokokchung defied economic laws. “The root cause of this economic anomaly is the unabated extortion by the innumerable underground groups,” it added.
Therefore, MCCI has appealed to the people of Dimapur to stand with DCCI and own their city, saying their decisive action today would reshape Nagaland’s socio-economic growth. “If Dimapur prospers, the prosperity of the rest of Nagaland will follow suit,” MCCI stated.
Meanwhile, in solidarity with the DCCI, MCCI said it was ready to cooperate with CNCCI and join the proposed state-wide indefinite shutter down protest if the government did not heed to DCCI demand.
DAYO: Announcing its full support and solidarity to the DCCI’s call, Dimapur Ao Youth Organisation (DAYO) said that it stood firm in its commitment to supporting the proposed indefinite shutter down of business establishments.
In a press release, DAYO reiterated that it remained dedicated to working together towards a brighter and prosperous future for Dimapur and Nagaland as a whole. DAYO asserted that this collective action was in response to the issue of rampant multiple taxation. It stressed the need for a comprehensive policy intervention on the part of the state government to completely stop the illegal activities.
The youth body pointed out that the menace of multiple taxation had not only hampered the economic growth of Dimapur, but also affected entire Nagaland, deterring large companies, corporate houses, and prominent businessmen from investing in the state. It insisted that this detrimental cycle must be broken for the prosperity and development of Nagaland. As representatives of the Ao community, DAYO stated that it operated a 24×7 helpline where community members could report any grievance, following the principle of community policing. It encouraged every community in Dimapur to adopt similar measures to effectively address the menace of extortion and multiple taxation.
Over the years, the youth body stated that it had filed numerous FIRs and shared crucial information with law enforcement agencies whenever its members had been intimidated.
DAYO further urged aggrieved citizens to make use of the MADEIN mobile app launched by the Nagaland Police especially for those who wanted to remain anonymous. DAYO said it was imperative that FIRs were lodged by the victims and that they were not withdrawn until justice was served.
DLYO: Dimapur Lotha Youth Organisation (DLYO) has extended solidarity and support to DCCI call for indefinite shutter down. DLYO through its media cell stated that unabated multiple taxation on all commodities has led to skyrocketing of prices especially in Dimapur.
It stated that most of the local entrepreneurs and business houses have been silently bearing the brunt of unabated taxation. DLYO also stated that many youngsters, who want to take up business could not progress or achieve due to the menace of multiple taxation.
Therefore, it urged all the citizens and business establishments to “collectively rise up” and join hands in the fight against the unabated taxation. DLYO has assured its unwavering support in fight against any elements that would have an adverse effect on the society. It also appealed to the state government to initiate steps to tackle the menace of multiple taxation/extortion at the earliest.