In the last three years, the ACAUT’s activity and impact have been felt throughout the state, with the first signature campaign at City Tower junction where thousands of people appended their signatures in the run-up to the mammoth rally in support of the ACAUT initiative against the Naga Solution killer- unabated taxation. Thus, the Oct 31st rally was held, where more than 40 thousand people assembled- defying threats to their life, and thereafter, in unison adopted the resolution of One Government One Tax (OGOT). The goal of OGOT seem arduous, complex and an impossible dream for the Nagas but the fact is, it could be the most simple task, for all that is required is to “Break Down the Wall” of ego, suspicion, hatred and personal petty differences among the leaders of the Naga Factional Groups (NFGs) in tune with their slogan “Nagaland For Christ.” For when Nelson Mandela walked out the jail after 27 years, majority Black South Africans expected their leader to just say the word to annihilate the Whites. However, Mandela simply tore up the scripted speech of the majority and in a stunning moment of leadership instead pronounced the word, Reconciliation. It’s been a long torturous campaign facing direct threats, intimidation, baseless allegations, propagandas compounded by lack of resoureces but despite these obstacles and hiccups, the ACAUT was determined to take the message of unabated taxation, corruption and OGOT to the grass root level and thus Team ACAUT reached out to different schools and colleges as a part of its awareness campaign and to put more pressure on the Government to implement the Lokayukta Bill, it initiated the “walk against corruption” from Dimapur to Kohima. The ACAUT Nagaland also embarked on a district tour and although Team ACAUT was warmly received in all the districts, the setting up ACAUT units in the districts was difficult, except for Wokha and Phek.
The fight against corruption was later incorporated into the movement- after having been told by several NFGs that “in comparison to their share, the State government was taking the lions share.” Though the irony of this self-serving logic was not lost- this stand is reflective of our society at large- the ACAUT decided to tackle corruption in governance, as it was felt that in order to fight unabated taxation it was imperative to check the rampant corruption by State government under the pretext of insurgency. Unabated taxation by the NFGs and corruption in governance are two sides of the same coin and both needed to be tackled at the same time. High Powered Committee (HPC) was set up as per the demands of ACAUT to look into the issue of unabated taxation, illegal deduction of salaries, percentages, commissions by the NFG’s and role of the various departments. The HPC has submitted its report with its recommendations to the Government of Nagaland (GoN) but the GoN is yet to act on it.
Further, the ACAUT started Filing RTI to unearth corruption in various departments. In fact the battle against corruption has proved even more difficult and challenging than the issue of unabated taxation. Whereas it was only the NFGs before, now the entire government machinery is against the Movement. Once the issue of corruption was taken up and the issue of backdoor appointment was raised, it proved to be a litmus test for ACAUT since its members too had relatives, friends and close ones serving in various positions in the government set-up but understanding that the issue was above individual interest and personal connections, the ACAUT highlighted the issue in public domain. However, the exposures alone did little to deter illegal appointments or for the state government to take remedial measures. Thus, left with no choice, the ACAUT filed a PIL in the Gauhati HC, Kohima Bench with some of the prominent departments such as, Home, RDD, DoSE, PWD, HTE, Social Welfare, etc., as respondents and due to severe financial crunch, the ACAUT had to appeal to right thinking lawyers to take up the case free of cost. Fortunately, three like-minded lawyers came forth and after more than 15-20 appearances in the court (with expenses borne from among the ACAUT members and the lawyers themselves), a landmark judgment was finally passed by the Court on 6th June 2016, that, hence forth, no backdoor appointment shall be done by the government. However, considering the recent illegal 11th August Office Memorandum and the illegal appointments made in the various departments after 6/6/16, the government is blatantly challenging the judiciary for which the ACAUT intends to strike down the OM in the Court and possible filing of contempt of court against the state government. Further, on the issue of illegal collections and deduction of salaries by NFGs, the ACAUT has filed several FIRs in various police stations in the districts against the so-called ‘ Town Commanders’ and the Police is yet to make any arrest. Again, the FIRs have implicated a few HoDs in the districts with some obtaining anticipatory bail. Mercifully, with the government and the police choosing to remain mute spectators, the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) has decided to take matters into their hands and as of now more than 30 departments are being investigated by it.
With the taking up of battle against corruption, complaints and grievances of people from all walks of life have kept pouring in, such as, non-payment of salaries, issues of promotion, seniority, etc. While it’s always difficult and impossible to take up all the complaints, it’s also equally important to address the complaints, and thus, despite the massive financial constraints and man power problem, the ACAUT had to take up multiple cases and issues at times. While admitting there is a gap between delivery and expectations of the people, it must be kept in mind that the ACAUT is a movement tasked with conveying the truth no matter how inconvenient. The ACAUT Nagaland, at the end of the day, is just a conduit that channels and beams the readily available facts to the people. It does not wield the power of the jury, the prosecutor and the judge as is apparently expected by many. Perhaps, the greatest achievement of the ACAUT movement may not be in the tangibles but the fact that it has empowered and emboldened the people to speak and stand up for the truth.
The years of subjugation have taken a toll on the collective psyche of the Nagas. We have been forced by circumstances to be cynical, doubtful, suspicious, and fearful, and to come together as a people for common causes seems nigh impossible. It is absolutely critical that this generation summon the courage with Christ as the source of wisdom and strength to unshackle the chains of the past that have bounded and emasculated us, the people. We must wake up now for the sake of the coming generation. As the year 2017 dawns upon us, there are enormous tasks ahead of us. How we as a people come together and face these challenges will define the course of our destiny and yes, we shall overcome.
As for the immediate challenges ahead, the ACAUT Nagaland would be filing PILs on the fuel adulteration and PDS scam in the Food & Civil Supplies department. Most importantly, the ACAUT is embarking on a tour of the districts once again on an Awareness Campaign; primarily focusing on Corruption, Clean Elections and OGOT, all of which will incur huge expenditures. Therefore, the ACAUT Nagaland once again fervently appeals to one and all believing in the cause of the ACAUT to make generous contributions to this people’s movement believing that indeed transformation can take place in our society in our lifetime. One’s Contributions can be made into the following bank account;
ACCOUNT Name: Acaut Nagaland
ACCOUNT Number: 348 548 40151
IFSC CODE: SBIN0010762
Media Cell
ACAUT Nagaland
