Dimapur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) announced relaxation of the ongoing indefinite shutter down for six hours, from 12 noon to 6 pm Monday, a decision made amidst mounting grievances among the general public.
In a statement, DCCI vice president V Shikuto Sema said the relaxation was in response to requests from the Naga Council Dimapur (NCD) and Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce & Industries (CNCCI). DCCI said the decision was to facilitate and provide relief to public for stocking essential supplies and meeting other needs.
However, Shikuto also cautioned that the indefinite shutter down will resume from April 30 onwards, if there was no positive response from the state government to the DCCI’s five-point charter of demands.
Meanwhile, several district trade organizations on Saturday had also informed of the one-day window period in their respective district for public to stock up essential items.
The ongoing indefinite shutter down called by DCCI in Dimapur from April 26 entered its third day, Sunday, while the CNCCI-backed indefinite state-wide shutter-down strike from April 27 entered its second day Sunday. The shutter-down strike has been by and large peaceful so far, with no report of any untoward incident.
On Sunday, a few thousand people from Dimapur, were seen flocking to markets at Khatkhati, Lahorijan in neighbouring Karbi Anglong district of Assam.
Hundreds of vehicles lined up at Nagaland gate area as shoppers made their way to markets in Lahorijan and Khatkati. Though vendors in Assam denied hiking up rates of various items, it was found that rates of essential commodities varied even within the same market. It was observed that vendors located along the roadside were selling vegetables at higher rates compared to vendors within the market area.
Additional number of Assam Police personnel were deployed to manage the surge in vehicular traffic amidst huge number of shoppers coming from Dimapur.
EDBA: East Dimapur Business Association (EDBA) has announced that all shops and business establishments will be open on April 29 to allow the public to stock essential items. EDBA also stated that further updates on the resumption of the indefinite shutter down will be notified.
MCCI: Meanwhile, Mokokchung Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI) has informed public that all shops and business establishments in Mokokchung would reopen on April 29, Monday.
MCCI president Tsukti Longkumer and general secretary Limalenden Longkumer informed this in a press release but also added that the shutter down strike will resume from April 30. MCCI also requested the public not to resort to panic buying during the window period.
MCCI also stated that in view of lack of satisfactory response from the state government, the indefinite shutter down called by the CNCCI would continue until the demands of the business community were met.
It further cautioned traders against taking advantage of the situation by resorting to illegitimate business practices and warned that any trader found indulging in such activities would face punishment.
Public has also been requested to report complaints or grievances to the MCCI by contacting 9436006062, 8415043591, 9436605461.
