Morung Express News
Dimapur | April 26
Nagaland Timber Traders’ Union (NTTU) and its affiliated units, on April 26, resolved to impose economic blockade on Peren district starting from May 2 in retaliation to the ban imposed by Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) of Peren district for transportation of timbers except sawn products from Peren district to outside.
The decision to impose economic blockade was taken at the general body meeting of NTTU, Chümoukedima Timber Traders’ Association (CTTA) and Dimapur District Timber Mill Owners’ Association (DDTMOA) held in Dimapur on Tuesday.
In the meeting, it was also decided that business establishments in Dimapur and Chümoukedima run by inhabitants of Peren will not be allowed to operate.
The timber traders further decided to prohibit timber coming from Peren to other districts, with effect from April 26.
NTTU President, Kevise Sogotsu, CCTA President, Khenito Sumi and DDTMOA President, Mughato Yeptho alleged that CSOs of Peren without justification have banned transportation of round logs beyond Peren district without taking into consideration of the interest of members of NTTU, who have invested crores of rupees in purchasing/leasing timber forest areas in pockets of Peren district.
Earlier on December 6, 2021, NTTU had served a representation to Deputy Commissioner Peren stating that in the event of the Peren CSOs sticking to ban, the DC should issue directive to the Peren CSOs to pay back the invested amount of Rs. 6, 67, 55,709 together with interest @ 12% per annum to the timber traders within 15 days from the date of submission of the representation.
It may be mentioned that in a meeting of the core committee of the Timber Unions held on April 23,2022, the core committee resolved to impose economic blockade and to shut down businesses of Peren citizens operating in Dimapur and Chümoukedima districts.
Further, in Tuesday’s general meeting attended by around 100 representatives of the various timber traders and mill owners union, the general body meeting resolved that the pending court case would be initiated as and when necessitated.
