CNCCI officials addressing a press conference on Sunday.
DIMAPUR — The
Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CNCCI) has
announced an indefinite voluntary shutdown of businesses in nine districts,
starting May 19, citing the state government’s failure to provide a clear
timeline for including business community nominees in Urban Local Bodies
(ULBs).
The affected districts are Dimapur, Chümoukedima, Niuland,
Zunheboto, Meluri, Phek, Wokha, Peren, and Tseminyu.
The announcement was made by CNCCI chairman Dr. Khekugha
Muru during a press conference held at Hotel Saramati, Dimapur, on Sunday.
According to Muru, the confederation had met with Minister
for Power and Parliamentary Affairs KG Kenye on May 16, who acknowledged the
legitimacy of their demand and reportedly briefed Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio.
On May 17, CNCCI received a letter from the minister urging them to put the
shutdown in abeyance, with an assurance that their demand would be deliberated
in the Cabinet.
However, the government suggested continuing the current
system of including business representatives as "special invitees" in
ULB meetings until an alternative arrangement was made.
While expressing appreciation for the minister’s initiative,
CNCCI said it could not accept open-ended assurances. “Without a specific
timeframe, it’s not possible for us to call off the protest,” Muru said, adding
that the shutdown is a peaceful, democratic expression of their
dissatisfaction.
The CNCCI maintained that it had played a mediatory role for
the last four years between the state government and the district chambers. But
after repeated inaction, it has now left it to the district chambers to
determine their own course of action. Consequently, the nine district chambers
unanimously agreed to proceed with the indefinite shutdown.
CNCCI treasurer Kevin Yepthomi reiterated that the
confederation is open to dialogue and would immediately call off the shutdown
if the government provides a clear deadline for fulfilling the demand. He
questioned why nominations were made in two ULBs if the government did not
intend to include representatives from all districts.
Muru also addressed confusion surrounding the nomination of
a representative from the Dimapur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) to
the Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC). He clarified that no official nominee had
been endorsed by DCCI or CNCCI, and underscored that any representative must be
chosen by consensus within the business community to legitimately speak on its
behalf.
According to the CNCCI, it has been raising the issue of ULB
representation with the chief secretary and relevant departments for the past
four years. Muru accused these officials of failing to effectively communicate
the demands of the business community to the state government.
He was careful to clarify that CNCCI is not blaming the
current government, but rather holding the bureaucrats concerned accountable
for the continued delay. “We believe the present government is now making
efforts to address the matter, but those efforts need a concrete deadline,” he
added.
CCC&TA to join shutdown
The Chümoukedima Chamber of Commerce & Trade Association
(CCC&TA) has confirmed participation in the indefinite shutdown, aligning
with the CNCCI’s call.
In a statement issued on Sunday, CCC&TA said its
executive committee unanimously agreed to join the protest. The association
stressed that the shutdown would be voluntary and non-coercive.
The CCC&TA has urged cooperation from business establishments
and the public in Chümoukedima, acknowledging the inconvenience the shutdown
may cause.
The following essential services are exempt from the
shutdown: medical stores; fuel stations; educational institutions; banks;
government offices; and government and private vehicle movement.
