Mokokchung, November 22 (MExN): The Mokokchung Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI) clarified today to the CAO of Ao Region, NSCN (IM) that tobacco products (including Tez and Talab) are not contraband items, and there are laid-down rules to govern these products.
The clarification from MCCI comes in response to a notification issued by the CAO of Ao Region, NSCN-IM, published in a local language newspaper on November 9, prohibiting the sale of "contraband items like Tez, Talab, Sunflower, Rum, etc."
"There are laid-down rules to regulate the manufacture and sale of tobacco products, specifically the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003 (COTPA, 2003), and competent authorities to enforce them," the Chamber pointed out.
Accordingly, the MCCI noted that it has been brought to its attention that the NSCN-IM authority in Mokokchung has been seizing these tobacco items and "penalising" some traders for trading in tobacco products.
"It is hereby pointed out very clearly that MCCI cannot and will not tolerate such highhandedness by anybody when genuine traders dealing in legitimate businesses are victimised," it asserted.
Further, the MCCI said that it has notified that the NSCN-IM in Mokokchung as well as some police personnel are harassing and extorting traders and transporters from other districts of Nagaland passing through Mokokchung.
"This must be stopped immediately in the interest of maintaining peace and public order," it added.
