Share
DIMAPUR — More than 30,000 business establishments in Dimapur district will join the Dimapur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI)’s call for shutter down of business establishments for an indefinite period starting April 26.
Following a meeting that lasted for more than three hours with the trade body on Wednesday, Dimapur Deputy Commissioner, Dr. Tinojongshi Chang told journalists that the grievances of the DCCI were ‘discussed at length.’
Whatever was shared has been taken up with the state government today (Wednesday) itself and we are hoping to get a response by Thursday, he said.
“As far as the DCCI (call) is concerned, it is not a total bandh but a shutter down of the shops. As and when there is a positive reply from the government, they will call off the shutter down,” he said, adding that the business body has the moral support of all the civil society as extortion is not a new issue.
“But if it (shutter down) goes on for an indefinite period, it will affect the common public, so that is our only request to them. Definitely some solution will come, so let’s wait for what the government will respond,” the DC added.
Stating that the grievances of the business community also include multiple taxation, he said the government is being apprised of what is happening in the district.
“The Home Commissioner is also asking for the report on the outcome of the meeting so we will have to give them the report,” the DC said while responding to a query on whether the issue should be of district or state concern.
“We were informed that the Cabinet is also going to have a meeting on April 26 on this issue, so we hope for some positive outcome,” he informed.
Meanwhile, the DCCI clarified on Wednesday that the “indefinite shutdown” call is only for the business community, so there will be free movement of vehicles and all other establishments will be opened.
Possibility of state-wide protest
The business community feels that the issue should be discussed at the state government level and until and unless the state government assures the safety of traders, this shutter down will continue, the officials asserted.
In this connection, chairman of the Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CNCCI), Dr. Khekugha Muru, maintained that the matter has been in the court of the government for the last two to three years.
“I think the government is sleeping on it,” he said, adding that the DCCI’s demands are justified.
Though the issue is being taken up by the DCCI, the reality is that it is spread across the state. The CNCCI is all-in with the DCCI, and if we are needed, we will step in across Nagaland, he added.
Dimapur, he said, is the most affected but other districts are also facing the brunt of multiple taxation by several factions.
Asserting that it is definitely an issue that has to be taken up at the state level, Muru went on to state that the government, as well as the public, “always thinks that shutter down will not go for long”.
“But the reality is that the business community is dying out, so it is time we make it very clear not only to the state government but also to those levying taxes and the public, that we are serious about the shutter down,” he said.
Stating that nobody takes a day of shutter down seriously, he said the DCCI’s decision to extend it for an indefinite period is right, “and we are fully on it and behind them”.
He also informed that Chümoukedima and Kohima will join the shutter down for a day on April 26, and if the demands are not met, CNCCI will go for the state-wide shutter down.