CNCCI to Introduce Business Shutdown from May 19
- CNCCI announced an "indefinite voluntary business shutdown"
- Chairman Dr. Khekugha Muru highlighted the exclusion of key districts
- The shutdown is intended as a democratic expression of discontent
Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CNCCI) Tuesday declared launching an "indefinite voluntary business shutdown" in nine districts of Nagaland from May 19, 2025.
This was declared at a press conference after the induction of the new executive council, with the incumbent chairman Dr. Khekugha Muru re-elected chairman for 2025–2030.
On the government's request for nominees for representation in Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), Muru opined that there has been some communication lag between the demands presented by the nine district chambers to the government of Nagaland.
He said the CNCCI, in a span of four years, has written to the chief secretary, chief minister, deputy chief minister and the advisor for urban development and municipal affairs several times, in explicit terms, that nominee representation from the CNCCI in nine districts under the ULB was a non-negotiable demand.
Muru said that representatives were nominated to Kohima and Mokokchung, but other key districts like Dimapur, even though it is a commercial hub, were excluded. He said that if the government chose not to nominate DCCI representatives in all districts, then it should not have appointed any, but it nominated only for two districts.
CNCCI president declared that district members have collectively agreed to observe "democratic indefinite voluntary business shutter down" in the nine districts of Dimapur, Chümoukedima, Niuland, Zunheboto, Meluri, Phek, Wokha, Peren, and Tseminyu.
He remarked that even the Rajya Sabha has business and economic background nominated members.
And hence being an integral part of the inhabitants of urban areas through trade licenses, sanitary charges, etc., chambers of commerce must also be represented in ULBs to have a meaningful input in community development.
He added business representation in ULBs would also be capable of monitoring regulatory discrepancies, syndicate mechanisms, and random levies beyond the jurisdiction of GST and municipal legislation.
Muru informed that CNCCI had initially sought business community representation in each town council, but the government recommended it be done at the district level in the first phase, to which they agreed.
But following the ULB polls, only Mokokchung and Kohima were included, while nine other districts were left out. The "unequal treatment has caused resentment," Muru stated, and the chambers thus asked the government to adopt the same principle for all districts.
He also maintained that the shutter down was "not anti-government or against the government", but merely an exercise of democratic right to express displeasure. Muru added that the band would not impact essential services such as medicines, fuel, or schools.
While the newly elected members of CNCCI for the 2025–2030 term were three vice chairpersons: Dr. Seyievilie Mor, Jabou Sekhose. Dorothy Chang and Avi Chase have been elected as general secretary, while Tsalichum S. Sangtam and Kekhrieletuo Kelio have been elected as secretaries.
Omega Yepthomi is the head of the grievances tribunal and joint secretaries are S. Abenthung Ngullie, Tocky Zhimo, and Chiloising Michoi and Kevin Yepthomi as treasurer.
