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DIMAPUR/ KOHIMA — With “no positive response” from the state government on the grievances raised by the Dimapur trading community, the Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CNCCI) has decided impose “indefinite shutter down” across the state starting April 27.
In a letter issued on Friday, the CNCCI directed all its 16 affiliates to ensure shutter down in their respective districts.
“Banking establishment, educational institutions, government offices and all medical related activities may be kept outside the purview of the shutter down,” it said.
Meanwhile, earlier in the day, Dimapur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) president Akashe Zhimomi told this newspaper that the indefinite shutdown in the commercial hub would continue as there was no positive response and update from the government.
Friday shutdown peaceful
All business establishments, including small shops, in Dimapur and Chümoukedima remained closed on Friday, following indefinite shutter down call made by the DCCI to protest multiple taxation and harassment by various Naga political groups (NPGs).
However, there was significant movement of traffic as schools, offices and other public activities were exempted from the purview of the protest.
In Kohima town too, commercial outlets barring a few establishments remained closed from 6 am to 6 pm. Pharmacies, bakeries and hotels were opened to cater to the medical necessities and travellers.
In the rest of Kohima district, the Angami Youth Organisation and its federating units implemented the shutdown in their respective areas.
Metevizo Sophie, general secretary of Southern Angami Youth Organisation (SAYO), told this newspaper that it would vigilantly monitor and prevent any form of illegal taxation, admitting that there were instances of such activities in its jurisdiction too.
An executive member of the Western Angami Youth Organisation informed that the bandh was observed in the western Angami region as well, with closure of all shops except for those exempted from the protest.
The Sechü-Zubza Chamber of Commerce and Kiruphema Business Union, in solidarity with the KCCI, supported the protest by closing businesses in their respective locations along the national highway, he said.
Stating that illegal taxation cases in its jurisdiction was last reported in 2023 at a petrol pump, he said people in areas like Sechü-Zubza advocate for ‘one tax’ concept as they cannot afford to pay multiple taxes to various factions.
Kevizelie Pienyü, vice president of the Northern Angami Youth Organisation, also said that shops in the northern Angami region remained closed on Friday. He added that no illegal taxation cases were reported in the region of late.
Meanwhile, the Kohima Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) informed that there will be ‘no exemptions’ for any commercial establishments during the indefinite shutter down.
Stating that it would be “more or less a blanket bandh”, KCCI general secretary Henry Chisüte impressed upon the government and law enforcement agencies to come up with concrete measures including setting up of helpline numbers, dedicated social media accounts, and witness protection programmes.
KCCI president Kezhazer Angami said that besides NPGs, there are several civil society organisations that harass the business community through fund drives, citing instances of selling concert tickets by force instead of freewill contributions. However, he said this cannot be equated with what the NPGs are doing.
While clarifying that only business establishments would remain shut, he said they would think of an appropriate time for the shops to open so that public can restock provisions, as the indefinite shut down announcement was made on a short notice.
Also read: NGRC-1CU extends solidarity with DCCI