Morung Express News
Dimapur | January 12
Chairman of Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) Y Vikheho Awomi, reacting sharply to criticisms from a section of the people against its decision of effecting complete closure of business establishments in Dimapur, said that the move for closure was taken in the interest of the general public and should not be perceived as being an endeavor to oblige Christians.
Lamenting that a few individuals were leveling criticisms against the decision, enforced from January 1, 2006 which according to him was taken only after extensive consultations with the District administration, Police and Councilors, Awomi reacted sharply saying that it was due to pressure from the public for closure that the order was implemented.
“The order was implemented not to (oblige) Christians just because Nagaland is a state with a majority of Christians. This was taken purely in public’s interest” he said adding that the move was not to please Christians or impose Christian principles on others. He also shed light that everywhere in the country not only shops are closed but all activities cease on Sundays as a protocol for respite and rest. “It is the DMC which formulated the system as empowered by the Municipal Act 2001, basing on public’s interest” he added while hinting that it might be relaxed but only after due consultation with concerned authorities.
Awomi also observed that the decision has brought a semblance of public order and discipline on sundays. “The public is more disciplined and there is some civic sense. Law and order has improved” he claimed while expressing confidence that the state government, the district administration and the Police apart from the public was in favor of the decision to close business establishments.
“What are we (the DMC, Administration, Police etc.) getting? We are not getting anything out of this! In fact we are losing so much revenue but we took the decision to close business establishments only in the interest of the public” Awomi maintained. “The move should not be made into an (irrelevant) issue since the public favors total closure” he added.
