Dimapur, October 21 (MExN): The proposed strike from 21st October 2010, by All Nagaland Private Bus Union (ANPBU) has been termed as “an extremely unwise step as it could only cause further misery and insult upon the bus owners and passengers alike”. The real motive behind the call is to fulfill the ambition of few officials in the ANPBU, stated a press note issued by MIP GPRN/NSCN while adding that the existence of this union was serving only the interest of few individuals heading the union and therefore GPRN banning ANPBU was only natural.
According to the MIP note this “supposedly welfare Union run by vested individuals is reflecting itself as an aggrieved party needing the intervention of the Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR)”. The GPRN/NSCN stated that it was issuing this statement so as to inform the Private Bus owners and the general Naga public about the real activity of the ANPBU.
“The ANPBU is the real extortion racket in the eyes of the GPRN/NSCN. Every bus has to pay rupees five hundred on entry and exit. The ANPBU ensures that all night buses functions as goods carriers thereby collecting hefty amounts from them. The passengers are the real sufferers who silently bear the inconveniences and harassment. Even tourist vehicles are not spared”, stated the MIP note.
It was alleged that the ANPBU collectors are prompt to stop every tourist bus and indulge in illegal collection and that there was “no welfare for Nagaland bus owners”. GPRN/NSCN has appealed to Private Buses owners to ply freely without any pressure, disturbance, or harassment from any quarter. “To coerce the vehicle owners to stay off the road is highly improper and against the welfare of the people. The activities of the lower sections of the people who depend solely on buses to do their jobs should not be stopped at any cost”, stated the MIP note.
Further the proposal to hike the passenger fare by 50% is another “play to fill their pockets in the name of taxations”, the MIP note alleged. “In doing so ANPBU will be the real devil and as such, GPRN/NSCN shall ensure that the bus owners and travelers are not victimized”.
Pointing out that since the activity of the ANPBU was clearly found to be “contrary to the principles and ideals which it propagates”, the GPRN/NSCN stated that it had no option but to ban the ANPBU “indefinitely until its members explain various inconsistencies visible”.
The MIP note informed that the Kilo Kilonser in consultation with authorities took the decision and that any individual enforcing indefinite strikes on private bus owners in the name of ANPBU shall be considered as harassing the common people. Further it was informed that in the coming days GPRN/NSCN shall bring out further details of the “anti-welfare activities of the ANPBU at the expense of bus owners and daily commuters”.
With Reference to ANPBU press release dated 12th October and 13th October 2010, which had accused GPRN/NSCN of collecting 4 different taxations on buses, the MIP note went on to clarify that the GPRN/NSCN has nominal taxation policy on yearly vehicle tax on buses and counters. This tax is mandatory for all the concerned members and every vehicle owner duly fulfils each year. ANPBU has no role to play in the matter primarily decided by bus owners themselves, it was stated.
On the daily entry fee, it was stated that this was collected from incoming and outgoing inter-state bus transporters and GPRN/NSCN does not have any taxation policy on buses plying to and fro within the state of Nagaland. “The nominal amount is collected neither from the ANPBU nor the vehicle owners rather the amount is collected from businessmen who transport their goods to markets”. According to the MIP note, the ANPBU had “crossed all sense of decency by commenting of such subscriptions which has nothing to do with ANPBU or the bus owners”.
While recognizing the burden of vehicle owners, the GPRN/NSCN pointed out that the existence of ANPBU adds greater burden to private bus owners and untold harassment to travelers plying by buses. “The existence of this union is serving only the interest of few individuals heading the union and therefore GPRN banning ANPBU is only natural”, the GORN/NSCN stated. Pointing out that the Naga political struggle has survived for more than 60 years the MIP note stated that the one reason why it is called a people’s struggle is because from the very beginning the desire of every single Naga is to play a role in the struggle. “From the first day of the Naga Political struggle, nominal taxation is sought and duly granted and it shall continue to be so even in future”, the MIP note stated.
