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DIMAPUR, APRIL 26 (MExN): In light of the indefinite shutter down imposed on Friday, a letter reportedly written by Home Commissioner, Vikeyie Kenya, IAS dated, April 25 was widely circulated across social media. In it, the official cited the ‘illegal rampant collection of taxes by UGs in Dimapur,” imposed upon the business community which has created unbearable situations in carrying out their daily activities.
The letter addressed to the Director General of Police, Nagaland and the Commissioner, Nagaland instructed the district administration and the police to implement several directives. These included effective implementation and punitive actions taken against any violations of the Ceasefire Ground Rules. Continuation of arrests of UG cadres found extorting/collecting taxes and detaining such culprits under NSA, increase of police patrolling in market areas and business locations. Shops were advised to keep CCTVs in their locations and for police to check movement of anti-social elements with more surveillance, CCTVs, security cameras in the market areas. It also directed the Commissioner of Police to form a special cell to deal with extortions cases/ incidents.
In this regard, the official appealed to the DCCI “to lift the proposed indefinite shutter down.”
Reacting to the letter, Dimapur Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) Vice President, Shikuto Sema maintained that time again responses of this nature had been received from the State Government in the past. Given the Government’s continued insincerity, he said the letter does not “seem to hold any water.”
As such, he affirmed that the closure of all shops will continue so long as the government does not provide a satisfactory response.
It must be mentioned that a Cabinet Meeting had been reportedly called to address this matter. At the time of filing this report, it was not confirmed what the government had decided on further.
