CSOS OPPOSE SHIFTING OF DC’S OFFICE; SERVE 5-DAY ULTIMATUM ON GOVT
A12-hour “total shutter down” of all business establishments in Dimapur from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. has been called on September 30 (Thursday) in protest against the move to shift office branches, cells etc., from the present DC’s office Dimapur to the new complex at Chümoukedima.
Several Dimapur-based Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have served a five-day deadline with effect from September 29, 2021 on the chief minister to cancel the September 7 home department notification for shifting of the district election office and disaster management cell the new complex at Chümoukedima including all other orders issued by the government. They also cautioned that in the event of “such forceful move leading to any unwanted incidents, the CSOs and affiliated bodies should not be held responsible.”
Prior to submission of the memorandum, several hundred people gathered at DC court junction after which they marched towards DC office and submitted the “ultimatum” to the chief minister through DC Dimapur.
The ultimatum was contained in a joint memorandum signed by presidents/representatives of DUCCF, Sumi Council Dimapur, Dimapur Naga Students’ Union, Naga Council Dimapur, Eastern Nagaland People’s Union Dimapur, GBs Union Dimapur, Ao Senso Telongjem Dimapur, Naga Women Hoho Dimapur, Kachari Tribal Council Nagaland, Dimapur Eastern Naga students’ Union and Dimapur Lotha Hoho.
The CSOs also demanded removal of the tag “HQ: Chümoukedima; Camp: Dimapur” from the letter head of DC Dimapur.
Speaking at the DC Court Junction, DDCF president Yibemo Kikon said that the memorandum was addressed to the chief minister seeking immediate action after a thorough deliberation with various civil society groups.
He also said despite representations submitted to the government on August 25, 2014, June 5, 2015 and April 6, 2021, against shifting the DC office, the home department ignored these and instead issued an order on September 7 directing the district election office and disaster management cell to shift to the new DC office complex.
According to Kikon, the office of DC Dimapur should remain at the present location as also resolved by the CSOs at an emergency meeting. He said CSOs resolved not to allow any move for shifting the DC’s office “in part or as a whole” from the present location, which he said was ideally located.
Kikon clarified that the shutter-down would impact only shops and business establishments while excluding medical stores, pharmacies, movement of vehicles and pedestrians, educational institutions, government and privates offices etc. from the purview of the shutdown.
4-point ‘ultimatum’ submitted by CSOs
1. The present Deputy Commissioner’s office is located in a cadastral land which means it is in an urban area. Shifting it would entail tremendous hardship for the citizens of Dimapur as more than 50% of the total population of Dimapur District lives under Dimapur Sadar Sub Division.
2. Unlike other districts of Nagaland, Dimapur has three revenue areas and is also the Commercial capital of the State. For which the Deputy Commissioner of Dimapur is also the District Collector.
3. The State government, formed by democratically elected representatives of the people and hence, the best interest of the people must be kept in mind while taking such sensitive decision. There is a clear apprehension of tension leading to unrest if the Government goes ahead with the decision to shift headquarter elsewhere.
4. It is quite surprising to see the posting of an ADC in the office of EAC Chümoukedima, even if certain condition such as “will function from” is indicated. It may be the prerogative of the State Government to put in place such administrative arrangements but no proper system seems to have been followed. People are aware that between EAC and ADC, there is another post of SOO (Civil).
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