Dimapur, November 14 (MExN): ACAUT Nagaland has welcomed the setting up of the Enquiry Committee on illegal collection in check-gate and highway under Kohima district against the complaint lodged by the Kohima District Truck Owners and Driver's Union (KDTODU).
ACAUT has commended the relentless effort of advocate Kezhokhoto Savi who has been a leading crusader for justice, rising above “narrow domestic walls” and has put the rights of the Naga citizens above one’s own tribal consideration.
“It takes courage to expose the shameful conduct of the Southern Angami Public Organization (SAPO) to abet illegal collection having the audacity to issue tender period of collection of tax in Phesama Police Check-Gate,” stated a press release issued by the Media Cell, ACAUT.
It stated that this practice totally contrived the Nagaland Government standing Order dated 22nd June 2009 and also the Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench judgement and order dated 3 June 2014. ACAUT, demands that Nagaland State Government taking cognizance of this illegal modus operandi and should immediately issue suo moto action against such organizations so that rule of law reign supreme.
ACAUT has on earlier press statements has expounded it views that tribal apex bodies should rein in their own tribesmen creating menace and indulging in antisocial activities and illegal collections.
ACAUT stated that “SAPO is setting a bad precedence for other such responsible civil society organizations to follow suit, making a mockery and belittling article 371(A) instead of safeguarding it's true essence.”
“It is also disheartening to know that our own hardworking Naga farmers and entrepreneurs are forced to part with their hard earned money by these unauthorized collections and taxes manned by few individuals with parasitic mentality under various names just to loot the public, as it is the customers that ultimately ends up paying the price,” it added.
