DIMAPUR/Kohima, JUNE 18 (MExN): The twelve hour symbolic Dimapur bandh called by Action Committee Against Unabated Taxation (ACAUT) under the aegis of the Naga Council Dimapur passed peacefully with cooperation from business establishments, educational and financial institutions and other organizations. The bandh was in effect from 6am till 6pm against unabated taxation by Naga national groups.
All business establishments including pharmacies, educational institutions and banks downed shutters responding to the call of the ACAUT. ACAUT volunteers were seen at strategic points of the town to enforce the bandh. Commercial vehicles remained off the road. However, private vehicles plied without hindrance.
Meanwhile, in Kohima, most shops downed their shutters today as the State capital wore a deserted look due to the commercial bandh called by the Kohima Town Traders’ Union (KTTU) in support of the first phase agitation of ACAUT. However, following requests from the Angami Public Organisation, the bandh was called short by 12 noon in Kohima Town. Despite this, most shops remained closed till 4:00 pm.
GPRN/NSCN, NSCN (IM) respond to bandh
When contacted for response to the bandh, a GPRN/NSCN official said, “We do not oppose or support the bandh.”
He recalled the meeting with ACAUT and Naga Council at Khehoi designated camp on June 13 and said they had a fruitful discussion. He said that the GPRN/NSCN was not involved in any dealership or syndicate system adding, “Which means we have no objection to the bandh.” He informed that the GPRN/NSCN had made its position clear and was hopeful that the civil society organizations understood the point. He reiterated the cooperation of GPRN/NSCN to ACAUT in the interest of the public. A senior NSCN (IM) functionary said, “We have indicated the steps to be taken with regard to taxation.” It may be noted that the NSCN (IM) on June 14 had issued a set of rules and regulations for protection of the general public against illegal taxation.
Media boycotts ACAUT press conference
Media persons in Dimapur have boycotted the press conference which was called by ACAUT and Naga Council on Tuesday evening at Hotel Saramati citing a “slur” made against the media by Naga Women Hoho Dimapur general secretary, during the press conference on the issue of unabated taxation. The DPC decided not to report the story of the press conference.
A statement issued by the Dimapur Press Club said that the media fraternity in Dimapur was hurt by the accusation that the media people were “pressurizing and influencing” the ACAUT on the issue of taxation. “Whether it was her personal opinion or speaking on behalf of ACAUT, the reporters attending the press conference were affronted by her accusation that the media people were ‘pressurizing and influencing’ the ACAUT on the issue of taxation,” the DPC stated. Further, the DPC said that the media seeking response on the issue of taxation from the spearheading organization cannot be interpreted as pressurizing or influencing in any context whatsoever.
The DPC said that “such immature and condescending utterance from a so-called responsible leader is uncalled for,” while the media always tries its best to cooperate with all sections of society in the interest of the public.
KTTU clarifies
Seasonal Chairman of the KTTU stated that the Union had previously pledged its support to the ACAUT through the local media. However it stated that the Union would never call a total bandh within Kohima town without the intervention/order from the apex bodies of Kohima. Therefore, it said that today’s commercial bandh was a voluntary closure of all the shops under KTTU to show solidarity with the ACAUT. At present KTTU has 10 traders’ Union (TU) under it, namely TCP GATE area TU, Super market area TU, Naga hospital area TU, Paramedical TU, PR Hill TU, Highway Area TU, Kohima district petroleum Dealers association, Pezielietsie TU, High School Area TU and Main Town Area TU.
