Our Bureau
DIMAPUR/KOHIMA, AUGUST 4
The six-hour ‘voluntary lightning shutter down’ call of all businesses by ACAUT Nagaland from 6 am to 12 noon today received overwhelming support from all business houses, affecting business activities all over the State. However, there was no report of any untoward incident from any part of the State during the shutdown.
From petty pan shops to pharmacies, all business houses downed their shutters in Dimapur town, complying to the appeal of ACAUT to close down their establishments to show resentment for the inhuman treatment meted out to its secretary Solomon L Awomi by GPRN/NSCN and to protest against this ‘barbaric act’. However, educational institutions and government offices functioned as usual. Vehicular movements were spared from purview of the lightening shutdown.In the state capital Kohima too, the shutdown impacted businesses. Being the sudden call for voluntary shutdown, which was made known only after the arrival of the local dailies, initially the roadside vendors and early birds had opened their shutters.
Though most of the shops remained closed complying with the appeal of ACAUT, a few shops were seen open in some areas. There was no report of any untoward incident from any quarter and the peaceful functioning of the business establishment commenced from afternoon. Schools, colleges, offices and all other normal activities were not affected.
Business establishments led by Wokha District Chamber of Commerce & Industry & All Commercial Vehicles Association Wokha also put their shutters down in Wokha district in support to the call for the lightening shutdown. The unions condemned the detention of Solomom by GPRN/NSCN and the inhuman treatment meted out to him. Voicing their concern over the incident, they cautioned that if such thing happens to any of the ACAUT members in future the GPRN/NSCN will be held totally responsible.
The ACAUT said Solomon was illegally confined in ‘jail’ by GPRN/NSCN for three days like a common criminal and interrogated with his hands tied and eyes blind folded from July 31 to August 2.
The business community of Dimapur who were seen on the streets outside their respective shops expressed solidarity with ACAUT and did not feel any loss over the six-hour shutdown of their businesses.
Talking to Eastern Mirror, some traders acknowledged that since the issue concerns the entire business community, they do not feel their day wasted. They also expressed their cooperation to ACAUT in future.
The ACAUT Media Cell, in a release today, said the shutdown was a resounding success in places where information could be conveyed at appropriate time. While Dimapur area, including Chumukedima and Medziphima, witnessed almost total closure, Wokha, Phek, Zunheboto, Longleng and Tseminyu witnessed near total closure, it said.
It said the traders of Kohima voluntarily closed shops to protest against Solomon’s case as well as the unbearable unabated taxation climate.
In Wokha, the All Commercial Vehicles Association pulled off all the commercial vehicles off the road.
The ACAUT Media Cell said in Mokokchung town, black flags were shown whereas Mangkolemba and Chuchuyimlang, the sub-divisional headquarters of Mokokchung district, observed near total shutdown and the rest of the districts received mixed response.
Extending its gratitude to the business community of Nagaland who took it upon themselves to shut their businesses and exercise their democratic right to protest for a just cause, ACAUT reiterated that it being a people’s movement, it is only reasonable that it abhors any form of intimidation infringing upon individual rights.
The ACAUT also expressed gratitude to all the districts chamber of commerce, local ACAUT units, ACVA, ZTYO, Medziphema Town People’s Organization etc. for extending their cooperation for a just cause.
