Mokokchung Chamber of Commerce

Mokokchung, 22 November (MTNews): In response to a notification issued by the CAO of Ao Region, NSCN-IM, published in a local vernacular newspaper on 9 November 2023 prohibiting the sale of contraband items such as “Tez, Talab, Sunflower, Rum, etc.,” the Mokokchung Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI) has clarified that tobacco products, including ‘Tez’ and ‘Talab’, are not contraband items.

“There are laid down rules to regulate the manufacture and sale of tobacco products, specifically the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003 (COTPA, 2003), and competent authorities to enforce them,” stated the MCCI.

Stating that the MCCI has received reports that the NSCN-IM authority in Mokokchung has been seizing tobacco items and imposing penalties on traders dealing in these products, the MCCI said: “It is hereby pointed out very clearly that MCCI cannot and will not tolerate such highhandedness by anybody when genuine traders dealing in legitimate businesses are victimized.”

Furthermore, the MCCI stated that it has been made aware of alleged harassment and extortion activities conducted by the NSCN-IM in Mokokchung, as well as some police personnel, targeting traders and transporters from other districts of Nagaland passing through Mokokchung. In this regard, the MCCI ruled that it must be stopped immediately in the interest of maintaining peace and public order.