DIMAPUR, JULY 11 (MExN): The Ao Students’ Conference (AKM) and the Mokokchung Chamber of Commerce & Industries (MCCI) has sounded caution on what it described as “imminent threats posed and adverse affects caused by the mushrooming of a so called “Weekly Bazaar” in Mokokchung, specially around the periphery of the district headquarters.
A public appeal from the two organizations on Tuesday called upon the people of Mokokchung to be also wary of the traders involved in the weekly bazaar while alleging that they are of “dubious origin and identity.”
It also alleged that there exist a “diabolical nexus between some influential but reprehensible individuals with insatiable greed for easy money and a sophisticated syndicate of black-marketing goons from across the state border working together to destabilize the local economy by hijacking the formal market…”
According to the two organizations, this so-called weekly bazaar is in effect a daily bazaar as they are open at different locations around the district on a different day but each day of the week.
“By purchasing from them, you are encouraging an illicit business activity as this weekly bazaar is an illegitimate shadow market where economic activity is not recorded. You are not contributing to the economic development of the district by purchasing from them as theirs is a shadow business. You are not contributing anything to the state’s revenue, as they do not pay any taxes,” it stated.
The two organizations also shed light on the July 9 detainment of eleven undocumented traders allegedly involved in the shadow business by police at Mokokchung DEF area, it stating, “The fact that they somehow managed to slip through the inter-state check gate without ILP is proof that all is not fair in their business.”
Again, the bailout of the “dubious traders” along with their vehicles and consignments reportedly by some patrons of good influence, indicate the possible involvement of some well connected and influential “Judases,” it pointed out.
Expressing alarm on the “perilous state” the weekly bazaar is taking the fragile local economy, the AKM and MCCI has urged all to come together, be vigilant and tackle the issue earnestly in the interest of securing “our local economy and safeguarding our long-term socio-economic wellbeing.”
