DIMAPUR, MAY 21 (MExN): The All Nagaland Taxi Association Mokokchung (ANTAM) expressed concern at the actions of the 44 Assam Rifles which, it alleged, had apprehended the Association’s President, I Tali Jamir on May 20 morning.
A press note from the ANTAM informed that its President was on his way to collect a “demand letter” issued by one of the Naga Political Groups at the Alino bus counter when some Assam Rifles personnel in civilian dress “simply forced him into a car and drove him away to the 44th AR Camp for ‘questioning’ before subsequently handing him over to the Mokokchung Police Station–I.”
However, on failing to find any substantial wrong doing on the part of the ANTAM President, he was released, it added. “However, this unwarranted action of the 44th Assam Rifles has caused a lot of mental harassment on the respected ANTAM president and also a fear psychosis among the taxi drivers in Mokokchung district,” it said.
“Despite of the fact that the ANTAM has selflessly dedicated to the cause of the people, the association has from time to time face a lot of hardships while delivering their services to the public,” it stated.
Like all organizations and business communities, the Association noted that “we also receive demand letter from different groups especially the Naga Political Groups (NPGs) from time to time, and when such demand letters come, it is the responsibility of the office bearers to deal with such demand letters.”
It therefore reasoned that “abducting” the ANTAM President simply because of a letter sent in his ‘care of’ is “uncalled for, unwarranted, and utterly brutish.” “Their action has caused a fear psychosis among the association members simply because this action, if not addressed carefully, would leave a bad precedent which would compromise the security and dignity of our service not only in Mokokchung but also in the whole of Nagaland,” the ANTAM stated.
It further called upon citizens of Mokokchung to “seriously ponder upon the unwarranted action and to condemn it in the strongest term,” and appealed to security agencies to understand the hardships of the ANTAM members and also understand that “we are also responsible citizens trying to serve the public in our own humble way.”
It meanwhile acknowledged the ANTAM members who shouldered this incident from the beginning till the end, including the Mokokchung District Trucks’ Association and Mokokchung District Pick-Up Union for their solidarity. The Association also appreciated the ANTAM legal advisor and its lawyer.
