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The Public Action Committee (PAC) of Naga Council Dimapur has deferred its proposed indefinite Dimapur bandh from Monday.

The core committee of PAC took the decision at a meeting here on Saturday, committee convenor Vikhosayi Nyekha said on Sunday.

On October 1, the committee warned of an indefinite total Dimapur shutdown from Monday following failure of the state government to regulate hike in prices of essential commodities in Dimapur.

It submitted separate memorandums to chief secretary Temjen Toy and the Dimapur district administration to take adequate measures to control prices of essential commodities.

The PAC said it had not called off the indefinite bandh but was only providing a “space” to the administration to rectify the anomalies which led to skyrocketing of prices of essential commodities.

Referring to the meet between Dimapur deputy commissioner Kevekha Kevin Zehol, tribal hoho presidents and representatives of frontal organisations on October 3, Nyekha said the district administration had already constituted a district-level price monitoring committee (DLPMC) in order to monitor and control price rise in essential commodities in Dimapur, as promised.

The deferment of the strike was also due to a request made by the district administration and an appeal made by the Hindu Seva Samiti and the Bengali Sama, Dimapur, on account of Durga Puja, Neykha said.

He said the PAC had decided to wait till October 19 when the sub-committee, set up by the deputy commissioner to survey and collect existing market rates, would bring out its report with price list of the commodities from the neighbouring towns, districts and states for comparison and finalisation and redress.

The PAC has extended its gratitude to all tribal hohos, individual contributors and other organisations for extending their support to the committee in its endeavour to fight illegal collections and also to normalize prices of all commodities.

It also acknowledged the Nagaland Voluntary Consumers’ Organizations, Nagaland Government Registered Class-I Contractors’ Union and the Kohima District Truck Owners’ and Drivers’ Union who had come out in its support.

The PAC has been spearheading a campaign against skyrocketing of prices of essential commodities in the state.

It had also launched a vigil on the collection of illegal tax from trucks by unauthorised organisations, including government agencies, at check gates here from September 16 to 21.

Bhadra Gogoi is Northeast Now Correspondent in Nagaland. He can be reached at: [email protected]