DIMAPUR: Life in three districts of Nagaland came to a grinding halt as Dimapur Chamber of Commerce and Industries’ (DCCI) call for indefinite shutdown of business’ came into force on Friday.
Majority of shops and business establishments remained closed and the otherwise buzzing streets of Dimapur, Niuland, and Chümoukedimawore districts, wore a deserted look.
In Dimapur, the shutdown impacted over 30,000 business establishments with the petrol pumps bearing the maximum brunt after Petroleum Dealers’ Association of Dimapur, Niuland, and Chümoukedima (PDADNC) announced their support to the protest on Thursday.
Earlier on April 25, at New Market, a hub of commercial activity in Dimapur, shoppers hurriedly filled their baskets with perishable goods, driving up prices amidst a surge in demand.
By late afternoon, panic buying had emptied the shelves of many vegetable vendors, causing prices to soar.
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Potatoes, typically priced at Rs 20-30 per kilogram, fetched Rs 35-40 in many areas, while prices of other essentials remained stable.
Despite the chaos, some residents maintained composure saying that their shopping routines have remained unchanged.
While some citizens voiced support for the DCCI’s demands, others expressed concerns about the its impact on the day-to-day life of the public.
Earlier, assurances from DCCI Vice President, Shikuto Sema, promised minimal disruption to public services, with volunteers deployed across Dimapur to facilitate essential activities.
Meanwhile, private transport services rallied behind the cause, while private buses suspended operations in solidarity.
Similar shutdowns rippled across Nagaland, from Chümoukedima to Kohima, Mokokchung, Wokha, and Medziphema, underlining the widespread impact of protests.
Similar shutter-downs are seen across Nagaland, including in Chümoukedima, Kohima, Mokokchung, Wokha, and Medziphema, underscoring the widespread impact of the ongoing protests against taxation and harassment by Naga Political Groups (NPGs).
The DCCI had announced the closure as a mark of protest against alleged taxation, intimidation, and harassment faced by the business community from various NPGs on April 26.
