Wokha town came to a halt on Monday following an indefinite shutdown enforced by the District Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), with all establishments closed except pharmacies.
In swift response, the Wokha Town Council (WTC) issued a directive requiring all shops to reopen, warning that failure to comply could result in action under the Nagaland Municipal Act 2023. WTC Chairperson Khozamo Lotha said the bandh was harming consumers and affecting the livelihoods of daily-wage earners.
While the Council clarified that it is not directly opposing the DCCI, it expressed concern over the public inconvenience caused by the ongoing closure.
The DCCI, meanwhile, confirmed the bandh would continue but said it is reviewing its enforcement to ease public hardship.
Meanwhile, the Wokha Town Council (WTC) issued an order directing all shops and business establishment within the jurisdiction of Wokha Town Council to remain open and operate as usual for the convenience of the general public
Expressing concern about the current crisis caused by the indefinite voluntary business shutter down as called for by the Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CNCCI), the WTC noted that it has severely impacted not only the consumers community but also many business community that rely on daily operation for their livelihood.
“Strict action will be initiated for non compliance to this direction as per the Nagaland Municipal Act 2023,” cautioned the Council. All the concern permit holders has been directed to comply to the order.
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Earlier, the Wokha District Chamber of Commerce and Industry (WDCCI) had issue the official notification to all the business establishments under its jurisdiction that the proposed Indefinite Business Shutdown will be enforced with effect from Monday, May 19.
The decisive action comes against the backdrop of the demand put forward to the State Government by the Business Community for a Nominee in the Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).
The Chamber reiterated that the protest is not driven by confrontation, but by a principled commitment to justice, fair representation and structural equity within governance frameworks. “The absence of business representation in the Local Self-Government is a gross oversight and a denial of stakeholder’s participatory rights,” it stated.
Despite a reasonable two-week timeframe extended for redressal, the WDCCI asserted that the State Government “willfully and consistently” failed to address the long-standing and legitimate demand of the business community, thereby compelling the Chambers across nine Districts to adopt this form of democratic protest as a last resort
The WDCCI urged all stakeholders, including the general public, consumers and civil society organizations, to lend their understanding and unwavering support during this critical phase.