Shops remain closed on Nyamo Lotha Road in Dimapur during the ‘indefinite shutter down’ agitation called by business chambers from nine districts in Nagaland on May 19. The agitation was called off later Monday evening. (Morung Photo)
CNCCI says positive response from govt to demand for nominees in ULBs
Morung Express News
Dimapur | May 19
The indefinite shutter down agitation called by the business chambers of nine districts in Nagaland has been called off. The Confederation of Nagaland Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CNCCI) made the announcement at a hurriedly arranged press conference in the late afternoon on May 19, in Dimapur. The agitation ceased at 6:00 pm some 12 hours after it came into effect earlier in the morning.
According to the CNCCI, it was a voluntary and democratic exercise called by the business chambers of 9 districts— Dimapur, Chümoukedima, Niuland, Peren, Wokha, Zunheboto, Phek, Tseminyu, and Meluri, in protest against alleged government failure to meet what it held was a long-pending demand raised by the business community. Their unrequited demand was nomination of representatives from the business community in the Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) as non-voting nominees.
CNCCI Chairperson, Dr Khekugha Muru told the press conference that the state government responded positively to the grievance of the business chambers. He said that the CNCCI received a communication from the government, today, but did not disclose what the government promised.
He only stated that they have come to an “amicable solution” and thus called off the agitation. “The shutdown across nine districts is a very clear cut message to the government that they cannot ignore it because this is a democratic country,” he said.
He declined to reveal the content of the communication the CNCCI received from the government citing the latter’s request for maintaining confidentiality. The disclosure of an earlier letter, dated April 17, from the government, channeled through the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Power, KG Kenye, who is also the state government spokesperson, allegedly did not go down well with the government.
“So today, we are not circulating it, but the assurance is that it will be done at the earliest,” he said, while adding that the government assured of taking up the matter in the next Cabinet meeting, and if needed, in the next Assembly session.
Dr Muru said that if the agitation would have continued without any positive response from the government, the business chambers in the 8 remaining districts would have joined.
He claimed that the CNCCI tried its best to bring about an amicable solution between the business chambers of the nine districts, and the government. “Unfortunately, we could not bring this to fruition despite 4 years of effort. Therefore, we had no choice but to use the ultimate weapon available to the business community, which was to express our displeasure by shutting down,” he said.
He apologised to the public for any inconvenience that may have arisen during the business shutter down.
He claimed that the entire business community of the nine districts stood in support of the shutdown validating the stand business chambers took.
There was however views to the contrary in Dimapur, with allegations of unidentified individuals going around town, and forcing shops found open in the residential neighbourhoods to shut. A member of the Dimapur Chamber of Commerce and Industry denied engaging any volunteer to impose the shutter down.
According to the CNCCI, the shutter down agitation was a success despite what it termed as “efforts at certain corners” to dampen their spirit. The Dimapur Municipal Council opposed the agitation and urged the businesses falling in the municipal limits to open.
Most business owners, however, decided to play it safe. Businesses, barring pharmacies, falling in the main commercial centres of the DMC limits did not open. Shops opened in the Kuda village area, which does not fall in the DMC.
Across the Dhansiri, in Purana Bazaar, which falls under the East Dimapur Town Council limits, as well as along National Highway 29, many businesses were closed, though some remained open.
In Chümoukedima Town, most shops, except the exempted medical and fuel outlets, remained closed, adhering to the ‘voluntary shutter down’ call by the Chümoukedima Chamber of Commerce & Trade Association (CCC&TA).
Reports from Wokha informed that there was complete closure of the town’s commercial establishments, with the exception of pharmacies, on Monday.
CCC&TA , PDCCI inform
Following the announcement by CNCCI, the Chümoukedima Chamber of Commerce & Trade Association (CCC&TA) and the Peren District Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PDCCI), in separate statements, informed that they are calling for an indefinite voluntary shutdown.
Both entities also expressed appreciation to the business community, consumers, and everyone for their cooperation, support, and unity.
The PDCCI further thanked the administrations and town councils across Peren district for understanding their concerns and allowing the shutdown to proceed peacefully and democratically as a form of protest.
The CCC&TA acknowledged everyone for bearing the inconvenience caused and looks forward to the same cooperation in the near future.
