Dimapur, June 21 (MExN): With truckers from other states refusing to enter Nagaland for the second day, shortage of essential commodities is yet to be felt in the commercial city of Dimapur, with most of the shopkeepers unaware of the ‘Chakka Jam’ called by the All Assam Truck Owners, Drivers, Handymen Association from June 20. So far, the price in the market is stable and most shopkeepers in the market said that the prices would remain stable as far as stocks with the wholesale dealers lasts. However, the shopkeepers of Dimapur said that if the wholesalers hiked the prices of commodities then they would be left with no option but to raise the price as well.
With reports from Bokajan saying that more than hundred heavily loaded trucks halted in the Assam towns, the stalemate is yet to be resolved since there is no report of any intervention on the part of the district administration or the state government to find a solution in this regard. The solution here is to strongly check extortion on truckers in Nagaland. It is day-two since the trucks carrying essential commodities from other states like Bihar, Andhara Pradesh and Punjab have not entered the state, and the affect on the local economy, though it is yet to be felt, is threatening. The president of the Bokajan Truck Owners’ Association, Mukul Borah said it would be good if the district administration intervenes and try to find an amicable solution to the problem.
A walk through New Market areas in Dimapur on Sunday revealed little customers; however, the ‘Chaaka Jam’ has its effect. The fish market is almost empty. “This is the last number of fish we have. Now the availability of fish in the market would depend on the stock with the wholesalers,” a fishmonger in New Market said. No wonder, most of the fish are brought from Andhra Pradesh and some trucks carrying fish were seen halted at Bokajan on June 20.
The price of tomatoes have risen to Rs 40, a day earlier it was just Rs 25, said a grocery shop owner in New Market who surmised that the price rise might be due to the Chakka Jam. Interestingly, shop owners at New market, the main market in the city, are ignorant about the Chaaka Jam being called by the All Assam Truck Owners, Drivers, Handymen Association. For them, availability of stocks would determine the prices of the commodities as they bring most of the essential items from the wholesale dealers.
On being asked whether the Chakka Jam would affect the prices in the market, most of the shopkeepers asserted that since they bring the goods from the wholesalers, the ultimate price hike would depend on the wholesalers- if they raise the price then they would also be compelled to raise the prices too. The wholesalers could not be contacted since it was Sunday. However, the directive of the Dimapur Municipal Council not to raise prices in the wake of the Chakka Jam would become more or less meaningless in the eyes of some of the local businessmen.
“We would be left with no option but to raise the prices if there is shortage due to the strike,” a fruit dealer said. Nonetheless, most shopkeepers expressed hope that the matter would be resolved soon; otherwise it would affect the economy of the state, since the bulk of the essential commodities found in the market come through Assam.
It may be mentioned here the truck drivers and owners under the aegis of the All Assam Truck Owner, Drivers, Handymen Association has called for an indefinite Chakka Jam from 5 am on June 20 in protest against what they alleged the rampant extortion by various underground groups and assault on drivers. They have also alleged that the personnel manning the check gates exact huge amount of money from them.
