Nagaland: CNCCI asks govt to clarify 'directive' on Sunday closure

The Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CNCCI) has asked the Nagaland government to clarify its stand on a recent "directive" that reportedly called for shops to close on Sundays and for non-Naga businesses across the state to shut.

In a press release from Dimapur on Sunday, October 25, the chamber said it wanted a public assurance that the state government remains in charge of the administration.

Where the directive came from

The directive appeared in media releases attributed to a group calling itself the National Socialist Council of Nagaland/Federal Republic Government of Nagaland (NSCN/FRGN), carried by digital news outlets. Morung Express, which reported the CNCCI's statement, noted that the group's formation and organisational status could not be independently verified.

The chamber's demands

The CNCCI asked the government to investigate the directive and to act in accordance with law if it is found to have no lawful authority. It also asked the government to state its position publicly and disclose what action it has taken.

Sunday worship and business

The chamber said respect for Sunday worship had to be balanced with the practical needs of businesses. Making sure employees get a weekly day off, it argued, should not be treated as the same thing as a blanket ban on trading on Sundays.

'Naga First', but not exclusion

Restating its guiding principle of "Naga First", the CNCCI said promoting Naga entrepreneurship should not mean shutting other communities out of lawful economic activity. It said economic progress depends on enterprise, innovation and access to wider markets, and warned that restricting businesses on ethnic lines could hurt investor confidence and create communal tension.

The chamber urged the FRGN to stay focused on the Naga political issue rather than step into matters it considers outside the movement's mandate.

Warning of action

The CNCCI said it did not want to inconvenience the public during the festive season, but warned that it may take its own course of action if the government does not respond promptly.

There was no immediate response from the state government in the report.