The Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CNCCI) has expressed support for the Dimapur Chamber of Commerce and Industry, commending its proactive efforts to protect the interests of the business community and its prompt response through the DCCI Grievance Cell to assess the recent incident involving the Naga Students’ Federation Finance Secretary at Prysm Lounge in Dimapur.
In a statement, the CNCCI condemned the actions of the student leaders, stating that they had taken the law into their own hands despite law enforcement agencies being responsible for addressing any grievances against the establishment.
Meanwhile, the CNCCI expressed concerns over the DNSU’s description of the DCCI’s intervention as that of a “third party.”
“The issue is clearly a business-related matter within Dimapur district and therefore falls within the legitimate concern and mandate of the DCCI. Such a characterisation appears to reflect a misunderstanding of the role of recognised civil society organisations and representative bodies in matters affecting their respective stakeholders,” the CNCCI stated.
The CNCCI also questioned how more than 30 restaurants, bars, pubs and lounges, as reflected in the meeting resolution, continue to operate despite the provisions of the NLTP Act. It said their continued existence and operation, despite the alleged sale and service of prohibited liquor, point to serious lapses in the enforcement of the Act and raise legitimate questions regarding its implementation by the State Government and therefore the CNCCI demands their immediate closure.
Download Nagaland Tribune app on Google Play
If the Dimapur Restaurant Union is a Government-registered body and is found to be representing or facilitating establishments operating in contravention of the NLTP Act, the CNCCI urged the competent authority to review its registration and take appropriate action, including cancellation of its registration if warranted under the law.
The CNCCI further urged the NSF to clarify the concrete institutional measures it intends to adopt to prevent similar incidents in the future. Such clarification would go a long way in reinforcing public confidence in the organization, it added.
The CNCCI also called upon the State Government to clearly state its position on the NLTP Act. “After more than three decades, it is time to either enforce the Act in letter and spirit or initiate appropriate legal reforms. Continued ambiguity and selective enforcement undermine both the rule of law and public confidence,” it stated.
