Dimapur, May 7 (MExN): The Naga Council Dimapur (NCD) and civil society organisations (CSOs) of Dimapur have urged the concerned district administrative authorities and Naga Political Groups (NPGs) “legally discourage the practice of syndicate business in Dimapur” to enable local businessmen a chance to development their business.
This was one of the outcomes of review meeting of the NCD and CSOs against the backdrop of the recent two-day indefinite shutter down in Dimapur.
As per the NCD, the meeting observed that one of the evil business practices in Dimapur is the existence of numerous business syndicates in the city “monopolised by outsiders who have a linked system with local bodies.”
This has adversely affected small local businesses, including local vegetable vendors coming from rural villages to Dimapur market areas, it said.
“Concerned authorities, including NPGs should see that syndicate system is legally abolished once and for all and any citizen interested in business should be free avenue individually in Dimapur competitive market,” the meeting further concluded.
A press release from NCD President, Etsungmomo Kikon and General Secretary, LK Peter Anal also noted that multiple taxations or extortion of money from public as well as “summoning/kidnapping for ransom” are serious issues, acting as hindrance of economic growth and sustenance.
To contain and eradicate all such illegal activities it requires cooperation from every walk of life and the State Government including various groups of NPGs, it maintained.
Accordingly, the NCD also appealed the State Government, NPGs, all CSOs and general public to ponder together to create congenial environment for free and competitive market in Dimapur.
Further, the Council urged the State Government to extend its special attention to the security of public and business communities.
Install all round efficient administrative system to free Dimapur from anti-social and illegal business activities, city goons and monopoly market syndicators, drug traffickers and users, it said.
Such action is pertinent particularly in city area, where a complex social environment makes the area more susceptible to exploitation by individuals seeking quick profits through unfair business practices, it maintained.
Meanwhile, during a review meeting, CSOs categorically stated that the Dimapur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI)'s recent shutdown was not intended to target any specific NPGs.
The NCD also acknowledged that most of the money collections from the traders or business communities are “done in the name of some NPGs and even through adopting different modus operandi to loot businessmen.”
Therefore, it asserted that any Naga organisation failing to collaborate in efforts to eradicate extortion and multiple taxations would be termed “unfortunate.”
It further noted that the recent shutter down of shops had brought out the common issue related to multiple taxations, extortion, collection, donation etc by various groups, individuals, syndicates, welfare associations, unions etc, particularly affecting the peaceful business activities.
The move had received an overwhelming solidarity from right thinking CSO’s and almost it become a mass movement covering the entire State and could have aggravated more, had not the district administration and law enforcing agencies intervened in time, the NCD said,
Accordingly, the NCD and Dimapur based COS’s expressed appreciation to the state Government of Nagaland for taking the issue in seriousness as well as taking prompt action in issuing clarification to the charter of demands of DCCI
Further, the State Government had conveyed full assurance to the people of the state in dealing all such illegal activities and for safety and protection of people, it said.
The Council also acknowledged the Deputy Commissioner of Dimapur, Dr Tinojungshi Chang and Commissioner of Police, Kevithuto Sophie for their timely intervention and well-coordination with CSOs and State Government at the high level, and negotiating an early end to the shutdown to ease the inconvenience of the public.
