Six Colony Councils under Ward No. 20, Dimapur, have opposed the reported attempt to form a new business organisation, “Business Owners Forum, Nagarjan”, within United Colony without the consent of the concerned Colony Councils and competent authorities.
The six councils—United Colony, Imkonglenden Colony, Ura Villa Colony, Circuit House Colony, S.M. Colony and Vilhume Colony—submitted a representation to the Deputy Commissioner, Dimapur, seeking intervention in the matter.
According to the representation, the United Colony Council held a meeting with the individuals concerned on August 26, where they were informed of resolutions stating that no new business organisation, forum, union, association or similar body would be permitted or supported within the colony or Ward No. 20 without due approval and collective consent.
The councils said a subsequent meeting with shop owners, business proprietors and landlords on August 30 found participants unanimously expressing their unwillingness to join or support the proposed organisation. The United Colony Council subsequently issued a press release on September 9.
The Councils alleged that despite the resolutions and meetings, efforts to establish the proposed forum continued, including a press release issued on September 10 criticising the Colony Council’s decisions. They expressed concern that such developments could create misunderstanding, distrust and tension among residents, traders, landlords and business establishments and the recognized Colony Councils.
At a combined meeting on September 11, the six Colony Councils unanimously reaffirmed that no new business organisation or similar body should be associated with, supported, recognised or permitted within Ward No. 20 without prior approval from the competent authority and collective consent of the six councils.
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An emergency meeting of Ward No. 20 Council members, GBs and elders was subsequently held at Hotel Saramati on September 13 under the chairmanship of Ward No. 20 Councillor, Lanuchuba Imchen. The meeting resolved that no new organisation, union, association or forum concerning the business community should be formed or allowed to function within Ward No. 20 without the prior knowledge, consent and approval of the concerned Colony Council/Chairman Forum.
The resolution was adopted in the larger interests of maintaining peace, unity, proper coordination, orderly administration, and harmonious relations among residents, business establishments, landlords, and the Colony Councils.
The Councils expressed concerns over the increasing tendency to form unions, organizations, forums, associations, or committees without proper consultation, approval, accountability, or coordination with recognized local authorities is a matter of serious concern.
It said such unauthorized bodies may result in parallel authority, unnecessary interference in local administration, confusion among the public, and additional burden upon traders, consumers, landlords, and residents. It may also adversely affect the peace, unity, and orderly functioning of the ward.
The six councils said an existing mechanism involving Colony Councils, the District Administration, Police Department, Ward Councillor and other competent authorities was already addressing matters concerning business establishments, public order, sanitation, welfare and other community issues.
They appealed to the Deputy Commissioner to intervene and ensure that any new business organisation or similar body is formed within Ward No. 20 and functions in accordance with applicable law and with due consultation and approval of the competent authorities and concerned local bodies, wherever required.
