State Janata Dal (United) unit expressed solidarity with the Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CNCCI) over the state wide indefinite shutter down strike while urging upon Naga society to reject passivity and actively combat the rampant extortion and forced taxation.
JD-U also said it was deeply troubled with the plight of Nagaland’s business community, who, in a bold statement of protest, have chosen to shut down their operations rather than feed the demands of armed factions misusing the banner of Naga nationalism for financial gain.
It said a “mass uprising” was crucial to address this crisis, as relying solely on government and law enforcement has proven ineffective, given the persistent extortion under the pretence of supporting the Naga political cause.
Inaction on the part of the government has only encouraged the proliferation of insurgent groups that exploit the situation for profit, treating businesses as mere cash dispensers, said JDU as they see business merely as an Automated Teller Machine (ATM).
Further, JD-U said it was pertinent to mention that “patriotism does not protrude its heads in the form of palatial building and SUVs during the course of the journey towards independence”.
JD-U therefore called for immediate action to safeguard the economic and political future of the Naga people.