Dimapur abduction: CNCCI demands businessman’s safe release

DIMAPUR – The Confederation of Nagaland Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CNCCI) has condemned the abduction of businessman Altaf Hussain from New Market in Dimapur by unidentified persons on Oct. 28, and demanded his “safe and immediate release.”

In a press release, the confederation of chambers of commerce in Nagaland called the incident “yet another disturbing reminder of the growing insecurity faced by the business community in Nagaland” and expressed solidarity with Hussain and his family.

Questions over policing

The CNCCI questioned the functioning of law enforcement agencies, noting that CCTV footage reportedly showed the businessman being taken in broad daylight.

“How could a person be abducted in broad daylight from the narrow and busy lanes of New Market without being prevented?” the release asked. It said such incidents raise “serious concerns about public safety and the effectiveness of the law enforcement machinery.” Also Read FRGN directive: CNCCI asks Nagaland government to act

The chamber demanded that police act “swiftly and transparently,” identify and arrest all those involved, and keep the public informed about the progress of the investigation. “There can be no justification for allowing perpetrators of such serious crimes to remain at large,” it said.

‘No one is above the law’

Whatever the nature of the grievance or dispute, the CNCCI said, there are “established legal and institutional mechanisms” to address it. Taking the law into one’s own hands through “abduction, intimidation, extortion or other acts of criminality” cannot be tolerated, it said. “No individual or organisation is above the law.”

The chamber did not say who was behind the abduction. It said that if any Naga Political Group (NPG) is found to be involved, it “strongly condemns such actions,” adding that the Naga national movement “cannot and must not be used as a justification for kidnapping, extortion, intimidation or victimisation of innocent citizens.”

Appeal for information

The CNCCI appealed to the New Market Business Owners’ Association, the Dimapur Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI), community leaders and the public to cooperate with investigators and share any information that could help identify and catch the perpetrators.

It urged law enforcement agencies to “act without further delay” and secure Hussain’s safe return “unconditionally.”

“The business community cannot be expected to function in an atmosphere of fear, lawlessness and insecurity. The rule of law must prevail, without exception,” the CNCCI said.

The release gave no details of any police action so far.