DIMAPUR, DEC 2 (NPN): Against the backdrop of ongoing economic blockade imposed by some Assam-based organisations restricting movement of vehicles along National Highway 702D at Mariani under Jorhat district of Assam, the business community of Mokokchung, Tuensang, Wokha, Zunheboto, Longleng, Noklak and Kiphire districts Wednesday said it would seek alternative means of doing business by looking beyond Jorhat and Upper Assam.
In a joint press release, Mokokchung Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI) president Tsükti Longkumer, Tuensang Chamber of Commerce & Industry (TCCI) president Dorothy Chang, Zunheboto Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ZCCI) president Kikheto Muru, Longleng Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI) president A Bonshi Phom, Wokha Chamber of Commerce & Industry (WCCI) president Renpithung Kikon, Kiphire Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) president Litingse Sangtam, Mon Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI) president N Ünko SN said they had been minutely observing the situation in close coordination with the respective district authorities.
The signatories said that efforts have been made to resolve the issue, but the problem was yet to be resolved. They said that the Assam-based organizations imposing the economic blockade failed to comprehend the reality of the situation.
The business community of seven districts said state of Assam faces afflicting border disputes with all of its neighbouring states.
Stating that the inter-state border disputes were political in nature, the signatories said Assam-Nagaland case was exacerbated by historical wrongs, which can never be resolved by economic blockades imposed by rogue elements.
They said that economic blockades would, in fact, only strain the age-old ties between the people of the two neighbouring states and make it impossible to make room for any meaningful discourse to resolve the contentious border issue.
Further, they said that border dispute between Assam and Nagaland is sub judice with the matter pending verdict at the Supreme Court.
They also said that forceful obstruction of National Highways and restricting movement of essential commodities were not only illegal, but also violations of human rights.
The signatories said that the government of Assam and its authorities were very well aware of those glaring facts and were duty bound to uphold rule of law.
They admitted that seven districts of Nagaland were “almost entirely dependent” on the markets of upper Assam, particularly Jorhat, for their trade and commerce.
However, the ongoing economic blockade was causing much inconvenience to the affected Nagaland districts, which they said was rather damning for the economy and the business community of upper Assam.
If the economic blockade was not lifted soon, the business bodies of seven districts said the business community including traders and farmers in upper Assam would confront “those reprobates” imposing the illegitimate and meaningless blockade at Mariani.
The seven bodies have, therefore, appealed to the peaceful and right thinking citizens of Assam, the government of Assam, the authorities at Jorhat and the business community of upper Assam to intervene and persuade those responsible for “this pathetic drama” to lift the economic blockade.
They termed as “unfortunate” that a few individuals with vested interests have taken to ransom the people of the two neighbouring states.
“Let good sense prevail and ensure that local assembly constituency political interests do not sever the cordial ties between the two peoples enjoyed since time immemorial,” the signatories remarked.
Source: http://www.nagalandpost.com/blockade-7-dccis-look-beyond-upper-assam/225476.html
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