Business Association of Nagas (BAN) has condemned the act of some unidentified persons shutting the shutters of East India Transport (EITA), whose franchisee are two Naga women entrepreneurs, on October 19.
BAN president Vitho Zao and vice-president Akum Jamir appealed to the police to apprehend the culprits and masterminds involved and make public the cause and reason for the closure.
They expressed confidence that the police would delve into the matter so that such issues did not recur and obstruct the peaceful Naga business fraternity.
Stating that it was most shameful that Nagas desiring to do business were not being able to do so freely without interference from syndicates, BAN alleged that there was no free trade as every trade was controlled by syndicates that controlled supply, sale and price. It added that every commodity, from basic kitchen needs, vegetables to housing materials, was controlled by syndicates.
Mentioning that outsiders with the intention to monopolise trade have taken the shelter of vested interest Nagas creating syndicates, the association said it was high time that Nagas wake up from their slumber as in the interest of a few individuals, sons of the soil were unable to do trade freely
“It is also very unfortunate that persons enrolled in Naga freedom movement are found to be directly/indirectly involved in such syndicates,” the release lamented.
BAN appealed to Nagas in general and “our freedom fighters” in particular not to encourage syndicates as these were detrimental to entrepreneurship and State’s economy in the long run.