One-day ‘total shutter down’ in Dimapur today

CSOS OPPOSE SHIFTING OF DC’S OFFICE; SERVE 5-DAY ULTIMATUM ON GOVT

Staff Reporter DIMAPUR, SEP 30(NPN) :A12-hour “total shutter down” of all business establishments in Dimapur from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. has been called on September 30 (Thursday) in protest against the move to shift office branches, cells etc., from the present DC’s office Dimapur to the new complex at Chümoukedima.

Several Dimapur-based Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have served a five-day deadline with effect from September 29, 2021 on the chief minister to cancel the September 7 home department notification for shifting of the district election office and disaster management cell the new complex at Chümoukedima including all other orders issued by the government. They also cautioned that in the event of “such forceful move leading to any unwanted incidents, the CSOs and affiliated bodies should not be held responsible.”

Prior to submission of the memorandum, several hundred people gathered at DC court junction after which they marched towards DC office and submitted the “ultimatum” to the chief minister through DC Dimapur.

The ultimatum was contained in a joint memorandum signed by presidents/representatives of DUCCF, Sumi Council Dimapur, Dimapur Naga Students’ Union, Naga Council Dimapur, Eastern Nagaland People’s Union Dimapur, GBs Union Dimapur, Ao Senso Telongjem Dimapur, Naga Women Hoho Dimapur, Kachari Tribal Council Nagaland, Dimapur Eastern Naga students’ Union and Dimapur Lotha Hoho.

The CSOs also demanded removal of the tag “HQ: Chümoukedima; Camp: Dimapur” from the letter head of DC Dimapur.

Speaking at the DC Court Junction, DDCF president Yibemo Kikon said that the memorandum was addressed to the chief minister seeking immediate action after a thorough deliberation with various civil society groups.

He also said despite representations submitted to the government on August 25, 2014, June 5, 2015 and April 6, 2021, against shifting the DC office, the home department ignored these and instead issued an order on September 7 directing the district election office and disaster management cell to shift to the new DC office complex.

According to Kikon, the office of DC Dimapur should remain at the present location as also resolved by the CSOs at an emergency meeting. He said CSOs resolved not to allow any move for shifting the DC’s office “in part or as a whole” from the present location, which he said was ideally located.

Kikon clarified that the shutter-down would impact only shops and business establishments while excluding medical stores, pharmacies, movement of vehicles and pedestrians, educational institutions, government and privates offices etc. from the purview of the shutdown.

4-point ‘ultimatum’ submitted by CSOs

1. The present Deputy Commissioner’s office is located in a cadastral land which means it is in an urban area. Shifting it would entail tremendous hardship for the citizens of Dimapur as more than 50% of the total population of Dimapur District lives under Dimapur Sadar Sub Division.

2. Unlike other districts of Nagaland, Dimapur has three revenue areas and is also the Commercial capital of the State. For which the Deputy Commissioner of Dimapur is also the District Collector.

3. The State government, formed by democratically elected representatives of the people and hence, the best interest of the people must be kept in mind while taking such sensitive decision. There is a clear apprehension of tension leading to unrest if the Government goes ahead with the decision to shift headquarter elsewhere.

4. It is quite surprising to see the posting of an ADC in the office of EAC Chümoukedima, even if certain condition such as “will function from” is indicated. It may be the prerogative of the State Government to put in place such administrative arrangements but no proper system seems to have been followed. People are aware that between EAC and ADC, there is another post of SOO (Civil).

TUD, NTUCT oppose shutter-down call
Tenyimi Union Dimapur (TUD) and Naga Tribal Union Chümoukedima Town (NTUCT) have opposed the “shutter down” protest called by several organizations.
TUD: Questioning the wisdom of calling a total shutdown of all business establishments in Dimapur on September 30 by some organisations, TUD president Vekhosayi Nyekha and general secretary Thepfungunyu Solo said that though they upheld and supported the right to protest as an inalienable democratic right, at the same time, in public interest the asked whether these organisations had forgotten the recent Covid-induced lockdown and its devastating effect on the people and the economy.
Pointing out that people were struggling to rebuild their lives following these recent traumatic and unprecedented events, they reasoned that imposing yet another “compulsory lockdown”in Dimapur would be nothing but a display of insensitivity at its highest and a slap on the face of the public.
“These organisations claim to speak for the public, but their actions completely belie and negate such claims,” they added.
As their grievances was against the State government, TUD reasoned that there was no need for the organisations to make the public suffer. It implored upon the CSOs to seriously reconsider their proposed actions for the sake of the public at large.
NTUCT: Naga Tribal Union Chümoukedima Town (NTUCT) has said informed the residents of Chümoukedima Town that there would be no shutter-down protest in Chümoukedima town.
In a circular, NTUCT president Lhousito Khro and general secretary Longshi Kikon appealed to the residents that the shut down at Dimapur Town, is being organized by some Dimapur based civil societies.
NTUCT further reaffirmed its stand to support the state government’s decision to shift the deputy commissioner’s office Dimapur to the new complex at Chümoukedima.

State govt appeals to withdraw ultimatum, ‘shutter down’ protest in Dimapur
Explaining the logic behind shifting branches/cells from the existing deputy commissioner’s (DC) office complex to the new DC office complex at Chümoukedima, the State government has appealed to Dimapur District Citizens’ Forum (DDCF) to consider withdrawing its ultimatum on Wednesday and refrain from going for a total “shutter down” here on September 30.
Principal secretary (home) Abhijit Sinha, in a press release, stated that the cabinet during its meeting on August 10 this year decided to post an ADC, EAC and sub-treasury officer at the new DC office complex at Chümoukedima, besides shifting certain branches/cells of the DC office and other offices to the new complex. He said that the decision was taken to ensure convenience to residents of Dimapur district, including Dimapur town, for availing various government services from the branches/cells and offices housed at the new complex.
Sinha further claimed that the move was aimed at decongesting the present DC office, pointing out that the partial shifting of some branches to the new complex, which was complete in all respects, was in the interest of people.
Mentioning that the decision for shifting was taken keeping in view the likely benefits and the interest of general public, he said that the proposed “shutter down”, besides causing economic losses, would also greatly inconvenience the public. He therefore urged DDCF not to oppose the shifting and rather co-operate with the government in implementing “this well-thought decision” in the overall interest of people of Dimapur district.

Source: http://www.nagalandpost.com/one-day-total-shutter-down-in-dimapur-today/241362.html