The Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CNCCI) has officially called off its indefinite shutter down agitation following a written assurance from the Nagaland state government to address its key demand: inclusion of District Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) members in Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).
Announcing the decision at a press conference held at Hotel Saramati on May 19, CNCCI chairman Dr. Khekugha Muru stated that the protest was suspended after consultations with representatives from the nine DCCIs and following a formal commitment from the government. According to Dr. Muru, the government assured that the issue would be resolved at the earliest either through a cabinet meeting or in the upcoming session of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly.
He thanked government departments for maintaining open lines of communication during the first day of the protest and reiterated that including DCCI representatives in ULBs would strengthen both local governance and business representation.
Dr. Muru also expressed gratitude to the public, civil society organizations, NGOs, and business communities across the nine districts for their overwhelming support. He offered an apology for any inconvenience caused by the shutter down, clarifying that the intention was never to disrupt public life but to highlight a long-standing issue affecting the business community.
Despite pressure from various quarters, Muru noted that all nine participating districts achieved a near-total shutdown, calling it a testament to the unity and resolve of the state’s business community. He also warned that had the issue remained unresolved, all 17 DCCIs in Nagaland were prepared to escalate the protest.
He emphasized that the shutter down was just the first phase of their agitation. If the government fails to uphold its written assurance, CNCCI is prepared to explore further options, including legal action and renewed protests.
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Responding to queries about the government’s inconsistent acceptance of DCCI nominations allowing them in two districts but rejecting them in nine, Dr. Muru said no official explanation was provided. He also pointed out that there are precedents of business representatives being nominated to ULBs in other Indian states.
Meanwhile, CNCCI treasurer Kevin addressed concerns about reports of forceful shutdowns in parts of Dimapur. He clarified that CNCCI did not deploy any enforcement volunteers and that the business community voluntarily participated in the strike. He questioned the conduct of certain Dimapur Municipal Council (DMC) councillors who were allegedly pressuring businesses to reopen despite voluntary participation in the protest.
Reacting to DMC’s press statement against the strike, Kevin said CNCCI bore no ill will toward the Council, recognizing that DMC was simply performing its duties as part of the state machinery. On reports of shops remaining open in East Dimapur, he clarified that those areas fall outside DMC jurisdiction.
Reaffirming the importance of the business community in Nagaland’s development, CNCCI leadership concluded with a message of caution to the government, not to ignore the voice of the traders and entrepreneurs who contribute to the state’s economic fabric.
