DIMAPUR, March 13 - In view of the silence maintained by the NSCN (I-M) with respect to their appeal for lifting the ban on closure of shops in and around Dimapur on Sundays, six Dimapur-based organisations today directed all the business establishments dealing in perishable items, groceries, confectioneries and medicines, hotels, restaurants and travel agencies to start operating within the Dimapur municipal area and the East Dimapur jurisdiction from Sunday, March 17.
In a joint release, the Naga Council Dimapur, GB Union Dimapur, Dimapur Urban Colony Chairman Federation, Naga Women Hoho Dimapur, Dimapur Chamber of Commerce and Industry and East Dimapur Business Association said they had appealed to the NSCN (I-M) to lift the Sunday ban imposed by it on those business outlets dealing in essential items. Since there has been no response from the NSCN (I-M), it has been positively considered as approved, the release added.
The six organisations also warned that any shop or business establishment not following the directive would be penalised by the respective organisations within their jurisdiction. They further appealed to the NSCN (I-M) leadership to issue proper directives and order about their decision to its rank and file.
The NGOs also cautioned the business community to be vigilant as some unscrupulous elements may take undue advantage of the confusion over Sunday closure and demand fees or taxes for allowing shops to open on Sundays. Such incidents should be reported to the appropriate authorities immediately.
They further demanded that the district administration and the police deploy adequate security personnel in those areas where shops will open to prevent �unwarranted harassment�.
The NGOs in their appeal to the NSCN (I-M) earlier said the closure imposed on all shops on Sundays could have been a spiritual approach with Nagaland being a Christian State, but exemption of pharmaceutical shops, restaurants, eateries and bakeries must be humanely considered.
