The attention of the Kohima Village Youth Organization (KVYO) has been drawn to the News Article appearing in our Local Dailies pertaining to the ANTA imbroglio wherein ANTA has dragged KVYO into the issue relating to the proposed formation of Kohima District Taxi Association (ANTA Kohima Unit). Through this Rejoinder, the KVYO would like to assert its stance and at the same time, clarify the confusion created by the All Nagaland Taxi Association (ANTA). First and foremost, the KVYO would like to make it clear that KVYO did not arbitrarily involved itself in ANTA matters and issues; instead, KVYO was approached by ANTA in the latter part of 2011 and even recently (prior to this imbroglio), for intervention in their internal conflicts arising due to misuse of funds and personality clash amongst the ANTA Officials, which had the potential to provoke law and order situation at Kohima.
Meanwhile, the KVYO reiterated that it had never at any point of time ban the ANTA under any circumstances, as KVYO is well aware of the ambit of its authority and limitations. However, it had ban the activities of ANTA within KVYO jurisdiction for its lack of transparency in functioning and mismanagement of funds collected from the general public at Kohima and indulgence in preferential treatment while providing service to its members. The KVYO as a conscious organization will never hesitate to raise its voice and react against any authority which under any banner indulges in activities that are detrimental to the welfare and interest of the public. Re-affirming its statement, KVYO will always remain vigil to fight unscrupulous elements that are existing in the State Capital. The KVYO had recently proposed to institute the Kohima District Taxi Association in the interest of the Taxi Owners, Drivers and public at large since Kohima District till date has no Taxi Association. The claim of ANTA that ANTA Kohima Unit is the first Taxi Association in Nagaland is a deception, if so who are the executives/office bearers? Or for that matter, when was the last election conducted? The ANTA dragging in and naming the landowners i.e. Kohima Village and its people into public domain in its attempt to assert its stand is rather unfortunate and an insult to the people of Kohima Village. The people of Kohima Village do not impose its will upon any community or tribe, on any issue for any vested interest. Rather Kohima Village desires that Kohima being the Capital City of Nagaland becomes a land of harmony where people of any caste, creed, tribe, etc, co-exist in true spirit of brotherhood and mutual respect. In regard to the KVYO Sticker issuance, KVYO confirms that the sticker is issued only for identification of vehicles belonging to its members. KVYO possess no legal authority to officially issue a Taxi Permit, as such, ANTA has no business to remark or oppose the issuing of the KVYO Sticker which is privately circulated among the citizens of Kohima Village.
The KVYO deems that ANTA Officials and its Units need to undergo a honest “Soul-Searching Exercise,” as the whole of the current imbroglio is a consequence of long term lack of transparency and accountability in it. The ANTA for long has been monopolised by a handful of persons ruling the Association according to their selfish whims without allowing their functioning to public scrutiny or auditing. Therefore, the KVYO call upon each and every village/colony/tribal body in other Districts to monitor any Association/Organization operating in their domain and generating revenue under the banner of a welfare body/association. We at Kohima Village have a sense of responsibility and guardianship for the negative activities of members hailing from our village, who claims to work for the welfare of the Nagas, while their actions prove otherwise. For record, majority of the ANTA Central Office bearers are members of KVYO and it is left to the public to introspect as to whether disabling our own members in ANTA speaks of injustice on the part of KVYO.
(Dzieseneituo Belho)
(Viravolie Rame)
President Info. & Publicity Secy.
