Unlike usual evenings, on Friday, citizens of Kohima waited for the clock to strike 6:00 pm to go to the market to buy the essentials in preparation for the all Nagaland indefinite shutter down called by the Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CNCCI) earlier in the day.

Similar stories are being reported from other districts. In Mokokchung Town, drivers are waiting in long queues to fill up their vehicles’ tanks with fuel. In Tuensang Town, the Tuensang Chamber of Commerce and Industry has directed shop owners to keep their shops open till 8:00 pm.

The indefinite shutter down will begin tomorrow and except for “banking establishments, educational institutions, government offices and all medical related activities” all other shops and business establishments will remain closed, CNCCI had informed.

The protest was initiated by the Dimapur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) against the constant harassment of the business community by the Naga Political Groups (NPGs) in the form of unabated taxation, extortion, intimidation and summons. DCCI is demanding that Nagaland Government and the law enforcement agencies make effective efforts to protect the community.

Kohima, Chümoukedima and Wokha CCI decided to hold shutter down in their districts on Friday in solidarity with DCCI.

Read more: DCCI calls for indefinite shutter down in Dimapur from 26th April to protest harassment by NPGs

On Friday, the Home Commissioner of Nagaland wrote to the DGP and Commissioner directing steps to be taken to tackle the issue but that failed to convince CNCCI and DCCI. Therefore, CNCCI made the decision to make it a statewide protest and supported by the trading bodies from the districts.

Meanwhile, the CCIs of Kohima, Noklak, Tuensang, Mokokchung have appealed the public and all concerned to extend cooperation to the business community and bear with any inconveniences for the larger interest of society.