PRESS RELEASE
16 February 2022
Of late there has been some unscrupulous elements targeting the transport sector in our state which has been generating substantial employment avenues and have contributed immensely to our economy as a land connected state. The transport agencies making direct deliveries have led to exponential growth of online shopping earning revenues for the state as well as creating jobs for the youths.
ACAUT Nagaland, would like to highlight two recent disturbing instances faced by local business community in a short span of time that had been publicized in most of the leading local newspapers. Around 6000 permitted taxis renders essential transportation service for travelers within and outside Nagaland providing gainful employment and shouldering the responsibility of being the families bread earners. The All Nagaland Taxi Association (ANTA) have raised their voice against the unabated taxation by multiple Naga Political Groups (NPGs) that it has reached a back breaking point for its members especially because of the pandemic and have reiterated the public resolution of “One Government One Tax”.
The other instance is of a goods transport agency run by two hardworking and courageous mothers, who have been facing untold obstacles and mental harassment because of a non-local kingpin named Goshi, who is harboured and protected by some locals with vested interests. The Dimapur Police has done a commendable job by arresting him as per the FIR lodged. Mrs. Tokali and Mrs. Khesheli has been bringing the highly sought after second hand bales through their East India Transport Agency without paying to the syndicate and selling them few thousands cheaper to mostly Naga women working to feed their families. The duo defiance against the dictates of the syndicate has ruffled up the feathers of the higher echelons among the divided NPGs but who are all united when it comes to unabated taxation.
The panacea to all these livelihood threatening, survival issues is to bring about an honourable political settlement at the earliest.
ACAUT would like to state three points for Naga public to ponder:
1. The 25th year of ceasefire has resulted in a dozen of legitimate NPGs and are likely to increase further. The ground rules under the present Ceasefire is defective and have scuttled its purpose due to its inherent loopholes. For too long these lacunae have been exploited and have allowed forced collections and multiple taxation making the majority of the citizens suffer unbearably. The Chairman of the Ceasefire Monitoring Board should rectify these flaws before any future ceasefire extensions. The cadres of various NPGs should be kept under strict surveillance along with stringent restrictions of movement by arm cards holders. All designated camps should be adequately provided for.
2. The Nagaland Government should mull over introducing a stringent anti- criminal law; with or without the removal of AFSPA vis-a-vis the Oting massacre.
3. The NPF promised in 2003 for Naga solution “within 3 months”, the BJP declaration of “election for solution” and the formation of the second “oppositionless Government” for Naga solution will face its litmus test in the next year general election. This time the responsibility and importance to choose the right people’s representatives have come upon the Naga electorates as never before.
The Naga public cannot be taken for a ride anymore and the tipping point for a public revolution is drawing near. The million-dollar question is, whether we will allow a few hundreds of Nagas to control the fate and future of the hundred-thousands of Nagas or we break this depraved vicious cycle once and for all. When the right time comes for call to action it should be the bounden duty of every right thinking citizen to raise to the ocassion and partake in transforming Nagaland.
Kuknalim!
Tia Longchar, Convenor, ACAUT.
Simon Kelio, Co Convenor, ACAUT.
Hetoi Chishi, Secretary, ACAUT.