Dimapur, December 14 (MExN): Giving a sigh of relief to the district administration, police and citizens of Dimapur, the two businessmen Kailash Kala and Bimal Jain, who were reported kidnapped on Saturday morning, were “released” at around 6:30 pm this evening. Family members informed that the victims reached home safely and no harm was inflicted on them physically.
Appreciating the police, district administration and different business establishments for their support, Chamber of Commerce Dimapur and Nagaland Medicine Dealers’ Association (NMDA) informed that the proposed indefinite strike which was earlier scheduled to begin on Monday in protest of the abduction, has been called off. However, they cautioned that if such crimes are repeated against the business community, there would be immediate and indefinite closure of shops without any prior information.
Speaking to media persons immediately after the release of the two businessmen, Kasheto Yepthomi, interim president of the CCD said there is already fear psychosis in the citizens and public. He appealed to the miscreants involved in the abduction, ‘not to repeat such acts’. Ironically, as usual, no details behind the motive or the persons or organizations responsible for the abduction, were provided.
The CCD also requested the district administration to check the scourge of extortion, donation-collection, threats, forceful sale of tickets and such activities which are thriving in the city and with the coming festive season. Due to all these factors, Kasheto said, ‘15 %’ of the business community has already left Dimapur and another ‘15 to 20%’ planning to leave after the New Year. He urged the law-enforcing agencies to check these illegal practices while strongly calling on the police and intelligence departments to be more vigilant and proactive during the festive season.
Reiterating the long-felt need and about time for the police force to pull up its socks, president of the NMDA, Ato Yepthomi brushed away excuses that the Home department ‘did not have enough police personnel to provide proper coverage’. He suggested that the state government cut down on police personnel deployed on VIP duty and redeploy them for security of the public. He also cautioned that in future, any similar harassment on any member of the business community, be it the owners or salesmen, all business establishments of Dimapur would invite “protest”.
