Kohima, Aug. 21: The Dimapur Chamber of Commerce and Industry has once again appealed to the Naga outfits to check illegal collections and extortion by their cadres and members.

“We appeal for a strong system of checks and balances to ensure that the collectors refrain from collecting the same taxes time and again in the name of different organisations, which causes confusion among the business community and brings bad repute to various organisations,” DCCI president Hokivi Chishi said.

“Unscrupulous elements capitalise on such instances and this in turn causes more harassment to the business community. Therefore, the DCCI humbly urges the various organisations to take preventive measures during work assignment,” he appealed to outfits involved in rampant extortion.

The Chamber also cautioned businessmen to keep tabs on their employees who might connive with the militant outfits on kidnap and murder.

The Chamber and other business communities have decided to hold consultative meetings quarterly.

It also lauded Dimapur police, the district administration and law enforcing agencies for their crackdown on militant activities, particularly extortion and illegal collections. “The DCCI is encouraged by their sincerity and tireless efforts to maintain law and order in Dimapur. We reiterate our earlier stand to extend fullest cooperation and support to the law enforcing agencies in this regard,” Chishi said.

Dimapur, the commercial hub, is currently under the grip of militant outfits. In the past couple of days, the police and security forces have arrested several extortionists from different outfits and booked them under the National Security Act (NSA).

Dimapur deputy commissioner Hushili Sema said all cadres arrested while collecting money illegally, will be booked under NSA. .

The Chamber has appreciated the wisdom of Naga national leaders of various organisations for coming together for a historic meet in Dimapur , under the banner of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation.

“The sagacity accorded by the respective leaders to each other after many years of division shines like a beacon of light, which reinforces the Naga people’s belief that every darkest night has a dawning day,” Hokivi said. He said theunderstanding and forgiving spirit of Naga rebel leaders should be an inspiration and a wake-up call to all the Nagas if they are determined to build their own future.

Yesterday, leaders from three Naga outfits met at Chumukedima and vowed to carry forward the reconciliation process initiated by the forum. The Khaplang group of the NSCN did not attend the meeting.

The meeting was attended by NSCN (I-M) chairman Isak Chishi Swu and general secretary Thuingaleng Muivah, NSCN (Khole-Kitovi) chairman Khole Konyak and general secretary Kitovi Zhimomi, Federal Government of Nagaland (Singnya) president S. Singnya and vice-president Zopra Vero.

“The DCCI salutes the forum for its successive achievements in the course of fostering brotherhood, reconciliation and forgiveness amongst Naga brethren,” Chishi said.