Naga Council Dimapur (NCD) has issued a strong appeal to all civil society organizations (CSOs), citizens, Naga political groups (NPGs), and the state government, while emphasising the urgent need to foster a conducive environment for a free and competitive market in Dimapur.
In a press release, NCD President Etsungmomo Kikon and General Secretary LK Peter Anal underscored the detrimental impact of multiple taxation and extortion on the populace, citing them as significant impediments to economic progress and sustainability.
They called for concerted efforts from all sectors of society to curb and eradicate such illicit activities.
Following a recent review meeting with CSOs, NCD said meeting highlighted the recent indefinite shutdown in Dimapur spearheaded by the Dimapur Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI).
NCD said the protest, aimed at addressing issues related to multiple taxation and extortion, that garnered widespread support, nearly evolving into a state wide movement. The intervention of district authorities and law enforcement prevented the situation from escalating further NCD said.
NCD emphasized that the shutter-down strike was a direct response to the relentless imposition of illegal levies by various groups, syndicates, and associations, adversely affecting all facets of commerce, including rural vendors struggling for survival.
Acknowledging the state government’s prompt response to the DCCI’s demands, the NCD commended Deputy Commissioner Dimapur Dr Tinojungshi Chang and Commissioner of Police Kevithuto Sophie for their timely intervention and collaboration with CSOs.
This facilitated negotiations that led to the cessation of the indefinite shutdown, alleviating public inconvenience, they said.
While urging the state government to give special attention to security of public and the business community, NCD also called for an efficient administrative system to free Dimapur from anti-social elements, illegal business activities, city goons, market syndicators and drug traffickers as the district, particularly the city area, had its social complexities and vulnerable to evil activities of people whose motive was solely for overnight gain through unfair means.
In light of recent events, CSOs clarified that the DCCI’s actions were not targeted at any specific NPG, emphasizing their collective stance against unlawful practices affecting the region’s economic vitality.
Following the recent shutdown of businesses by the DCCI, the NCD said it was clarified that targeting specific NPGs was never the trade body’s intent.
However, it was pointed out that most money collections from traders/business communitywere done in the name of some NPGs and by adopting different modus operandi, the meeting felt that any Naga organisation not cooperating the move against the menace of extortion and multiple taxations/money collections would be unfortunate.
The meeting also noted that there were also numerous business syndicates in the city monopolised by outsiders with links to local bodies, adversely affecting petty local businessmen, including local vegetable vendors coming from rural villages, the meeting insisted that authorities concerned, including NPGs, should see that the syndicate system was abolished once and for all.
Emphasising that any citizen interested in business should be able to pursue it freely, NCD appealed district administration and NPGs to discourage the practice of syndicate business in Dimapur, so as to give local businessmen a chance to develop their business.