Achi news desk-
Business closures in protest of ‘extortion’ by underground outfits hurt commercial activity in Nagaland
Kohima: Trade and commerce activities in Nagaland were badly affected on Saturday, with markets, shops and business establishments closed after the Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CNCCI) called for an indefinite shutdown of businesses to protest the “relentless” extortion by the underground. groups.
The Dimapur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) announced the shutdown in Dimapur on Friday, affecting trade and commercial activity in the country’s commercial capital.
Again calling on the state government to take immediate action to stop “relentless” extortion, pressure and intimidation by the underground groups, the CNCCI statement said such illegal activities against the business community for extortion could no longer be tolerated.
The CNCCI said the shutdown will continue until the government takes effective, sustained and satisfactory steps.
The country’s home commissioner, Vikeyie Kenya, said the country’s government is aware of “widespread collection of money in the name of taxes” from traders and businessmen, especially in Dimapur, by various underground groups.
Expressing his displeasure at the situation, he said that most of the underground groups, which reportedly collect subscriptions in the name of “tax”, have signed cease-fire agreements with the central government.
“We have asked the police and the district administration to act. Such activities adversely affect the law and order situation and good governance on the part of the state government,” Kenya told the media.
The state government has asked the Dimapur Commissioner of Police to increase patrolling in the market areas and deploy appropriate forces in the markets and their adjacent areas as part of the measures to build confidence among the traders.
However, the DCCI said that such guidelines had been issued by the state government in the past as well, but such “relentless” extortion by underground groups had not stopped.
