Commercial standstill looms in Nagaland as district chambers call for indefinite shutdown

The Phek and Tseminyu District Chambers of Commerce and Industry have announced their participation in the statewide indefinite shutdown of business establishments, beginning Monday, May 19, in protest against the Nagaland government’s continued failure to grant formal representation to the business community in Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).

The shutdown, initiated by the Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CNCCI), is set to impact commercial activity across nine districts—Dimapur, Chümoukedima, Niuland, Peren, Wokha, Zunheboto, Phek, Tseminyu, and Meluri—unless the state government issues a formal written assurance meeting CNCCI’s demand.

In separate statements, both the Phek District Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PDCCI) and the Tseminyu District Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TDCCI) confirmed their support for CNCCI’s call. “Until the Government provides a written assurance and official directive fulfilling CNCCI’s demand, we cannot place our trust in verbal promises,” PDCCI stated, while TDCCI urged its members to “stand united in this peaceful protest to safeguard the integrity of our civic institutions and ensure fair representation.”

Both chambers requested all business establishments under their jurisdiction to keep shutters down from May 19. Essential services such as pharmacies and hospitals may operate at their discretion, TDCCI noted.

The decision follows a meeting held on May 16 between CNCCI officials, district chamber presidents, and government spokesperson and minister KG Kenye. During the meeting, Kenye acknowledged the legitimacy of the business community’s long-standing demand for inclusion in ULBs and assured that the matter would be taken up seriously. However, chamber leaders remain unconvinced due to what they described as repeated instances of unfulfilled verbal assurances in the past.

Speaking to the press, Zhaleo Rio, Advisor for Municipal Affairs and Urban Development, said the state government has already nominated three chamber representatives to the municipal councils of Dimapur, Kohima, and Mokokchung. He added that the matter had been discussed at a recent cabinet meeting, which approved chamber participation in deliberations on key issues, including pricing of essential commodities.

However, Rio explained that further inclusion in all ULBs across the nine district headquarters would require broader consensus due to legal limitations under the amended Nagaland Municipal Act, 2023. The amendment now allows a 1:3 ratio for nominated members in ULBs, replacing the previous 1:5 ratio.

Kenye also weighed in, acknowledging the legitimacy of the DCCIs’ concerns. He assured that the department is working to identify specific towns where chamber representation can be granted and requested the CNCCI to refrain from extreme measures like an indefinite shutdown.

Despite the state government’s appeals to withdraw the protest, CNCCI vice chairman Seyievilie Mor said that without a written commitment, the shutdown would go ahead as planned. “The minister assured us that the issue would be brought before the cabinet, but unless there’s a formal directive in writing, we cannot call off the shutdown,” Mor stated.

The CNCCI has maintained that inclusion of chamber representatives in town councils is essential to ensuring the voice of the business community is represented in local governance. As of now, the shutdown stands to significantly disrupt commercial activity in key districts across Nagaland beginning Monday.

MT