Nine District Chambers of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) across Nagaland announced an indefinite voluntary business shutdown starting May 19, protesting the state government’s “continued failure” to address their long-standing demand for representation in urban local bodies (ULB).
The announcement was made by Khekugha Muru, president of the Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CNCCI), during the leadership handover ceremony for the newly elected team for the 2025–2030 term. Muru, who has been re-elected as CNCCI chairman, was joined by Dr Seyievilie Mor, Jabou Sekhose, and Dorothy Chang as vice chairpersons, and Avi Chase as general secretary.
The shutdown will affect trade and commercial establishments in Dimapur, Chumoukedima, Niuland, Peren, Wokha, Zunheboto, Phek, Tseminyu, and Meluri districts. Essential services, however, will remain unaffected.
“This is not an anti-government move. We are simply exercising our democratic rights through a peaceful and voluntary business closure,” Muru clarified.
The CNCCI, the apex body overseeing 11 district chambers, had previously called a state-wide shutdown on April 24 over the same issue but withdrew it following talks with the state government. However, the failure to extend ULB nominations to districts beyond Kohima and Mokokchung has rekindled discontent among the remaining chambers.
Despite multiple written representations submitted on behalf of the DCCIs, CNCCI alleges that the government has not fulfilled its commitment to equitable inclusion of business representatives in all municipal councils.
“The government’s selective appointment of DCCI members to only two municipal councils while ignoring others is unacceptable. We demand equal recognition and representation,” Muru said.
As the impasse continues, the business community is preparing for a prolonged shutdown unless the government takes decisive action to resolve the matter.
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