Kohima traders demand action against erring police officer

Kohima, Aug 23 :The Kohima Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KCCI) has demanded disciplinary action against Kohima police personnel who allegedly committed excesses against business establishments and public on August 19 during an agitation by the ad-hoc teachers in here. In a pressnote, the KCCI informed that it met the deputy commissioner, Kohima, superintendent of police, Kohima, and the additional deputy commissioner yesterday, however, the meeting proved to be inconclusive. ''The KCCI acknowledges the apology tendered by the officials, nonetheless, the business community stands firm on the demands as submitted in a memorandum.'' The KCCI said '' Disciplinary action should be taken against the erring police personnel for excessive abuse and trauma caused to innocent traders and public at large.'' The KCCI empathised with the pressure under which the police personnel acted but condemned what it called the highhandedness of the police. ''The KCCI requests the public to bear with the business community in the event of a failure of dialogue with the government and proceeds with the closure of all business activity,'' the organisation stated. In a statement, the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) also condemned August 19 incident at Kohima during the ANATU agitation and blamed DAN Government for its failure to solve the problem of teachers. NPCC media cell said injuries inflicted on public and loss of properties during the incident could have been avoided, if the DAN government had shown political will and solved the problem in time. The NPCC also said high-handedness of the police personnel led by SDPO Kohima on innocent passers-by and enforcing closure of the shops was most shocking. It said state home minister was morally responsible for the unruly behavior of the police personnel and demanded exemplary action against those responsible personnel. The Congress also demanded adequate compensation to those injured and for damages of properties.