By Imna Longchar
Dimapur (Nagaland), Oct 4: With deadline already being exhausted relating to the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) Core Committee against shifting of Deputy Commissioner’s Office, Dimapur, to the new complex at Chumukedima, and no concrete feedbacks from Monday’s meeting held in Kohima, Vice- President of India, M. Venkaiah Naidu, who is scheduled to arrive Nagaland on a three-day visit to Nagaland may be marred by “bandhs”.
Disclosing it to this correspondent, Convener, CSOs Core Committee, Kuhoi Zhimo, said that even before the outcome of the emergency meeting held in Kohima with the state government, pasting of posters on vehicles including three wheelers in Dimapur in order to create awareness about the issue to be reached to the unreached had already begun since Monday afternoon.
Vouching that until the Government of Nagaland intervene into the issue with a positive note, the demand of the Dimapurians cannot be compromised, Kuhoi said that they don’t have any objection on functioning of the already created ADC office in the new complex, but taking away the many departments from the present office (locations) in Dimapur to a far flung area is not acceptable.
Informing that if the Nagaland government responds to its demand positively, they would be happy as there are no issues related apart from shifting of the DC’s office to Chumoukedima.
He also disclosed that earlier, the present DC’s office building was proposed for High Court bench, but lamented that it was also shifted to Kohima citing reasons by the government.
“Though the present DC office has been neglected for years without any renovations, but shifting of the same office should be within the municipal areas (judicial) and not under any village council (s) which is not appropriate,” Kuhoi maintained.
He also pointed out that the State government shouldn’t undermine Dimapur as it is the only commercial hub of the state and also one of the highest revenue generating city in the Northeast.
Questioning the Nagaland government why “step motherly treatment” had to be given to Dimapur district, where there is no issue of “isms” but everyone irrespective of tribes or community co-exist together peacefully, the CSO core committee convener also said that Dimapur is under Mouza No.1 to 3 urban or municipal areas under Dimapur Deputy Commissioner’s jurisdiction.
Stating that it is heartening to learn that “non-Mouza” under village councils is “dictating” which is not acceptable, Kuhoi was also of the view that the government’s revenue cannot be generated elsewhere rather than municipal areas.
He also questioned that when the Deputy Commissioner and Commissioner of Police are seated in the main area, how could they control from distance which is around 10 kms away from the main area.
Citing an example that a commuter has to catch a bus till main road (7th Mile) and then catch an auto (hire) even to the Transport office, Kuhoi shared that the public had to face the brunt of many inconveniences even for registering driving license.
He later informed that the proposed rally would start from Holy Cross Junction, Dimapur, and not from Clock Tower Junction as notified earlier at 9 a.m and then proceed to DC’s office to remind of its earlier ultimatum being submitted to DC Dimapur.
Meanwhile, when contacted, Principal Secretary (Home), Nagaland, Abhijit Sinha, informed this correspondent that Deputy Chief Minister, Y. Patton, who is also in-charge of Home, will have a sitting with the five MLAs from Dimapur on Tuesday to discuss about the same issue.
Sinha also said that nothing has been “finalized” during Monday’s meet but hoping for a concrete outcome when the five MLAs meet and discuss about the issue.
On the proposed rally on October 5, the principal home secretary said that the department is aware of the peaceful rally which has been conveyed to the State government and hoped that it would culminate “peacefully.”
Meanwhile, during his 3-days stay in the State, the Vice-President’s itinerary include visiting the World War-II cemetery, Kohima, interaction with Ruzazho village in Phek district, and an interaction with student toppers, state and national teacher’s award winners in Kohima besides interacting with Nagaland University officials, ICAR, and NIT Dimapur.
In this regard, security will be beefed up and traffic regulations will also be put in place during the Vice-President’s visit to the state.
