Dimapur CSOs reaffirm stand against shifting of DC’s office

October 6, 2021 72 Views No Comment

Staff Reporter DIMAPUR, OCT 6 (NPN): A mass “peaceful public rally”under the aegis of Civil Society Organisations’ (CSOs) Core Committee Against Shifting of Deputy Commissioner’s Office, Dimapur was held on Tuesday, where Dimapur based CSOs reaffirmed to oppose the move of shifting the DC’s office to the new complex at Chümoukedima.

Several hundred people took part in the rally which commenced from Holy Cross School Junction till DC office. Rallyists, dressed in traditional attire, were seen with placards some of which read: “Listen to the people”, “Deputy commissioner is also a district collector”, “Let the office remain at the present place” etc.

The rally was held following expiry of the five-day ultimatum served on the chief minister to reconsider the decision to shift the DC’s office and also to cancel the government order dated September 7, 2021 to shift some branches/cells to the new complex.

In this regard, the CSOs submitted another memorandum to the chief minister through DC reminding the chief minister to reply to its five-day “ultimatum” submitted on September 29 last.

In the memorandum, the CSOs expressed dismay that the government had turned deaf ears to the grievances of the citizens, despite several reminders.

CSO members informed also DC Dimapur Rajesh Soundararajan that the agitation will continue till they receive any response and therefore no file should be lifted from the office till they receive any response from the state government. On this, the DC said he was not in the position to give any assurance from his end, but informed the CSOs that the second memorandum would be submitted to the government.

The CSOs further informed that the committee will convene a meeting and decide next course of action if they do not receive any positive response.

Earlier, addressing the crowd at Holy Cross School junction, CSOS core committee convenor Kuhoi Zhimomi maintained that the reason behind organizing the rally was not on any other agenda or “isms” but to on oppose the shifting of the DC office. He said that shifting of the office to a non-cadastral area was not appropriate and will not be allowed.

The government should not carry out “step-motherly treatment” to the public of Dimapur which is the commercial hub of Nagaland and that a firm stand will be made and continued till a positive response is received from the state government, Zhimomi said.

Naga Council Dimapur (NCD) president Etsungmomo Kikon said: “We were not opposing the development of the government, rather proposing Dimapur and Chümoukedima, as twin city”.

Dimapur Naga Students Union (DNSU) president Moayanger Jamir on behalf of the students mentioned that under DNSU there were more than fifty schools and 15 colleges with a student population of forty to fifty thousand. Students and administration are related for any documentation and application to be filed, and thereby the ultimatum of the DNSU was if shifting of the DC office hampers inconvenience of the students, it will not tolerate and will stand against it.

Representatives of Eastern Nagaland People’s union, Dimapur and Dimapur Urban Council Chairmen Federation also spoke at rally.

Youths to picket outside DC’s office, threaten to hold hunger strike

The core committee has decided to form a picket near the DC’s office Dimapur by setting up two tents and depute youths to ensure that the shifting does not take place till the state government responds to their ultimatum/memorandum. The decision was made following a meeting held at Tourist Lodge Dimapur after the rally.

Talking to media persons, Dimapur Youth Forum president and core committee member V. Yeptho said that the agitation will continue by sitting at the vicinity of DC office till they receive positive response from the state government.

The youths will camp on rotation basis and if situation compels, they will go on a “hunger strike”, he added.

Source: http://www.nagalandpost.com/dimapur-csos-reaffirm-stand-against-shifting-of-dc-s-office/241765.html