Seven Dimapur-based organisations – Naga Council Dimapur, GBs Union Dimapur, Dimapur Urban Colony Chairman Federation, Naga Women Hoho Dimapur, Dimapur Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Business Association of Nagaland and East Dimapur Business Association – on Saturday drew attention to the “honest” and “humble appeal” made by the Council for Nagalim Churches (CNC) on opening businesses on Sundays in Dimapur.
“Dimapur town cannot be considered for Christ alone because ‘Nagaland for Christ’ is for every nook and corner of Nagaland,” the seven organisations said in a joint release.
The organisations asserted that they, as practicing Christians, strongly stand on the “national faith” of the Naga people but said religion and faith are personal choices.
“So we have no argument with the CNC,” they added.
The joint statement pointed out that Dimapur is not a dead city and ever growing in all spheres.
There are sick people needing medical attention every day and they travel to Dimapur from within and outside even on Sundays, it said.
The six organisations said the people need food of perishable and non-perishable items and resting places away from their homes, and not only Dimapurians but most of the citizens of the state lead busy life nowadays having no time to get their hair cut in saloons and shop for essentials on week days.
“Such are the facts of life today,” they said.
The oganisations made mention of the authorities in the NSCN/GPRN having allowed petrol pump, hotels and restaurants, medical stores and pharmacies, bakeries and confectionaries, travel agencies, etc. to open one after the other subsequently.
Quoting reliable sources, they said the NSCN/GPRN authorities are talking with saloon owners and hoped that the saloons may be open very soon.