Mokokchung, 23 December (MTNews): The Ao Lanur Telongjem (ALT) has strongly denounced an alleged extortion demand of Rs. 50 lakh made by the NSCN (Khango) group against Aolemba Longkumer, Chairman of the Country Craft Development Society. The demand, reportedly made on December 16, 2024, has drawn widespread condemnation from ALT and the broader community.
In a press release, ALT said, “While the extortion demand upon a talented and self-made entrepreneur and innovator by itself is condemnable, the unimaginable amount demanded is shocking and utterly unacceptable.”
Describing AolembaLongkumer as a bona-fide Ao Naga citizen, ALT said that he is a law-abiding man who made his mark through his God given talents and sheer diligence. “Whatever wealth that he might have or not is through his hard work and no entities has a right to extort money from such innovative persons in the society. In fact, every section of the society, including the more than two dozen Naga political groups, should encourage such entrepreneurs in our State,” ALT said.
Aolemba Longkumer, an innovator and recipient of both the President’s Award and the Governor’s Award, was lauded by ALT as a “Nagaland State treasure and a National Asset.” ALT said that if such person like Aolemba is harassed in such a degrading manner by the NSCN (Khango), then it would discourage the future Naga innovators and entrepreneurs and “put Nagaland on a backslide in every field.”
The Ao Lanur Telongjem also extended its solidarity to Chumukedima Ao LanurTelongjem (CALT) and endorsed the FIR lodged at Chumukedima Police Station on December 17, 2024. At the same time, the organization urged the law enforcing agencies to take the matter with utmost seriousness and expedite the case and arrest the culprits at the earliest.
Further, the Ao youth oreganization made a clarion call to Naga society, especially the youths, to introspect deeply on the “prevailing scourge of extortion and intimation perpetuated by the different underground groups.” The time is arriving, it said, when this “unbearable harassment will blow over and such a situation would not lead to a congenial and progressive society.” Therefore, the ALT urged all responsible citizens and organisations to condemn such extortions and harassments meted out to progressive individuals in the society.
ALT pledged to monitor the case till the end and assured Aolemba Longkumer of its unwavering support. “The whole Ao youth community stands behind him,” the organization declared, encouraging him to remain steadfast in the face of adversity.