Businesses in Dimapur shut down over extortion

The shutter-down call was given by the Dimapur Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Former CM of Rajasthan Ashok Gehlot has rejected allegations of tapping phones of MLAs and MPs levelled by his former Officer on Special Duty (OSD) Lokesh Sharma a couple of days ago.

At the same time, he attacked PM Narendra Modi and the BJP. accusing them of spreading lies about the Congress manifesto.

“There is no issue of phone-tapping. I don't want to respond to what was said. All I want to say is that no government of any party has done phone-tapping in Rajasthan. Telephones of any

MLA or MP in the state have never been tapped. Even BJP would not do this because officials also have to follow the law and it doesn't allow such things,” Gehlot told the media in Jodhpur, adding “all I can say is that there was no conspiracy in our time”. Attacking the BJP, Gehlot said, “This election is going on at such a dangerous stage that two Chief Ministers are sitting in jail. Congress's bank accounts were seized. The United Nations is speaking about us. America and Germany are saying what a drama is happening in the country. You cannot take it lightly.”

An indefinite shutdown of shops and other business establishments began in Nagaland's commercial capital Dimapur on Friday, protesting against extortion by underground groups.

The shutter-down call was given by the Dimapur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI). Business associations in other districts also extended support and went for a day-long shutdown.

The DCCI said the decision was taken as there was "no end in sight to the unabated multiple taxation, intimidation and summons" by the groups. Urging the state government to take immediate steps, the DCCI said the law enforcement agencies can no longer afford to ignore what the business community was going through.

It urged civil society organisations and the people to bear with the inconveniences and to lend support to their cause. DCCI president Akashe K Zhimomi said the situation was peaceful.

Asked if there was any response from the state government, Zhimomi said they are still waiting for it.

In the state capital, the Kohima Chamber of Commerce and Industries imposed a 12-hour shutdown of all commercial establishments, barring pharmacies and hotels. Even street vendors stayed away.