By Imna Longchar
Dimapur(Nagaland), Sep 29 :Thousands of Dimapurians including leaders representing various communities led by Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) on Wednesday converged at DC Court junction, Dimapur, to submit an ultimatum to Nagaland Chief Minister through the Deputy Commissioner, Dimapur, to show its resentment against the recent government order on September 7 with regard to the shifting of branches/cells to the new Deputy Commissioner’s Office Complex Chiimoukedima.
Before marching to the DC’s office, a brief programme was held in order to brief the gathering on the content of the memorandum.
Reading out the memorandum, Dimapur District Citizen’s Forum (DDCF) president, Yibemo Kikon, said that the citizens of Dimapur represented by various civil societies after through deliberations serve this ultimatum for immediate action by the Government of Nagaland for the welfare of the citizens of Dimapur.
Stating that inspite of repeated representations on August 25, 2014, June 5, 2015 and April 6 this year against shifting of DC’s office to elsewhere, the Home department on September 7 has issued an government order No.GAB-8/DMP/63/2011(P1)/249 for shifting of District Election Office and the Disaster Management Cell to the new DC office complex at Chumukedima, and to make necessary arrangements for shifting of other branches at an early date, Yibemo voiced that the DC’s office must remain in the present location and should never be shifted elsewhere basing on the 4-points:
1. The present Deputy Commissioner’s office is located in a cadastral land which means it is in an urban area. Shifting it would entail tremendous hardship for the citizens of Dimapur as more than 50 percent of the total populations of the district live under Dimapur Sadar Sub-Division.
2. Unlike other districts of Nagaland, Dimapur has three revenue areas and is also the commercial capital of the state for which the Deputy Commissioner is also the District Collector.
3. The state government is formed by democratically elected representatives of the people and hence, the best interest of the people must be kept in mind while taking such sensitive decision. There is a clear apprehension of tension leading to unrest if the Government goes ahead with the decision to shift the headquarter elsewhere.
4. It is quite surprising to see the posting of an ADC in the office of EAC Chumukedima even if certain conditions such as “will function from” is indicated. It may be the prerogative of the State government to put in place such administrative arrangements but no proper system seems to have been followed. People are aware that between EAC and ADC, there is another post of SDO (Civil).
In this regard, Yibemo Kikon said the Dimapur based CSOs during an emergency meeting has resolved not to allow any move to shift the DC’s office in “part” or as a “whole” from the present location which is logistically located and for which the Nagaland government should cancel the September 7 Home department Order and also all other order/notice with regard to shifting of the DC’s office.
He also informed that the tag “HQ: Chumukedima Camp: Dimapur” from the letter head of the Deputy Commissioner, Dimapur, should be removed within five days starting September 29.
In the event of such forceful move leading to any untoward incidents, the Civil Societies and their affiliated bodies should not be held responsible, Yibemo maintained.
Apart from DCCF president, the 4-point memorandum was also endorsed Dimapur Sumi Council, DNEN, Naga Council Dimapur, ENPOP, BDS Union Dimapur, Ao Senso Telongjem Dimapur, Naga Women Hoho Dimapur, DENSU, KRN, DUCCF, and Lotha Hoho Dimapur.
The CSOs has further informed that the proposed 12-hours total shutdown on September 30 from 6 a.m. to 6 pm is only for business establishments and other normal activities including all the medical dealers, pharmacies, educational institutions, government and private offices and movement of vehicles and pedestrians are all exempted from the purview.
Meanwhile, the Civil Societies of Dimapur media cell has extended its appreciation to all the concerned Dimapur based Civil Society Organizations, tribal and non-tribal communities converging together for submitting the ultimatum to the Chief Minister, Nagaland, through the Deputy Commissioner, Dimapur.
It also thanked the police personnel, traffic officials and administration for their support and assistance provided by them during the submission of the ultimatum.
Nagaland Principal Secretary (Home) appealed DCCF to consider withdrawing the September 29 Ultimatum.
Meanwhile, Principal Secretary, Home, Nagaland, Abhijit Sinha, in an official communiqué stated that the Cabinet in its meeting held on August 10 this year had decided for posting of an ADC, an EAC and the Sub-Treasury Officer at the new Deputy Commissioner’s Office Complex Chumukedima, and also for shifting of the branches/cells of the DC Office as well as other offices to the New Complex.
He said that the decision of the Cabinet was taken with a view to provide greater convenience to the residents of the district, including Dimapur town, for getting various services of the Government from the branches and offices housed at the New Complex, and it was also further aimed to decongest the present Deputy Commissioner’s office, and the partial shifting of some branches as well as some offices to the New Complex which is complete in all respects, would be in the interest of the people of the district.
Sinha added that, keeping in view the likely benefits and the interest of the general public, the decision for shifting has been taken and appealed the Dimapur District Citizens’ Forum (DDCF) to consider withdrawing the September 29 Ultimatum and for refraining from going for a “total shutter down” on September 30 in Dimapur.
The Principal Secretary also said that the “shutter down” besides causing economic losses would also cause a lot of inconveniences to the people.
“The DDCF has been requested not to oppose the shifting and rather co-operate with the Government implementing this well thought decision in the overall interest of the people of Dimapur district,” he further added.
Meanwhile,The Tenyimi Youth Organization Dimapur (TYOD) has expressed its displeasure over the Dimapur District Citizens’ Forum (DDCF) opposing to shift the Dimapur Deputy Commissioner’s office at the New Complex, Chumukedima.
TYOD Media Cell in press statement has appealed the forum not to hamper the government from taking any developmental activities in the district including shifting of DC’s office from the present site which was long “overdue”.
Recalling that to shift the DC office from the present location and making Chümoukedima as District Headquarter was not a new issue, rather all records of memorandum of understanding and agreement was signed since the then Chief Minister of SC Jamir was very clear from all aspect, TYOD media Cell however, said that to oppose the shifting of DC’s office has become a new issue for debates and was also of the view that development of the district should not be hampered just for personal gain.
Further, it requested the forum to call-off their proposed “total shutter down” while showing their resentment but peacefully negotiate it at any level of so demand.
The TYOD statement said it has also decided not to participate in any of the organization/forum calling to shutter down to press its demand against shifting of the DC complex and directed all its members running business establishments under the district to remain open as usual.
