Dimapur, June 28 (MExN): The LL.B VIth semester students of Kohima Law College on June 25 last visited Juvenile Home, Pherima & Central Jail, Dimapur as part of B.C.I. practical paper and also halted at all check-gates and pay-counters on NH-39 fighting against "illegal collection of cash".
A press note stated that the Law students undertook the trip under the guidance of Zashekhono Tetso. The students as members of Nagaland Voluntary Consumers’ Organisation(NVCO) halted in all the check-gates and pay-counters on NH-39 voicing against the illegal collection of cash by distributing the “2nd Edition of NVCO Booklet, where it compiled the Government of Nagaland Order No.CS/2/ADM/2009 dated 22.06.2009 issued by the Chief Secretary to the Govt. of Nagaland banning the illegal collection of cash at check-gate and in any highways”.
The students requested the Nagaland Police and few others to stop the menace as it is the root cause for price rise. Interestingly, it stated that the students witnessed the "open collection of cash" by the " Nagaland Police at the check-gate" and that the police defended themselves by saying the drivers are willingly giving it to them for tea, the students could not "tolerate the behaviours of police and questioned whether they are for public safety or just for the collection of cash".
Adding to the woes, the students also found that KMC, DMC, Chumukedima Town Council, Medziphema Town Council, All Nagaland Regional Taxi Union, Forest department, Excise department, Veterinary department, etc were collecting cash on NH-39.
The students in the note narrated that one police personnel was found demanding Rs.100/- from a truck handyman in full "drunken position at the counter of Excise & Prohibition, Bye-Pass Check-gate, Kohima". After interrogating the personnel, he realized that he was caught in "illegal act and apologized" and stated that "he will not do it again". Earlier on June 22 last few students under the banner of Kohima Law College Students’ Union went to visit Phesama Check-gate, Kohima and found that every truck handymen were submitting cash to Nagaland Police Counter, KMC. Moreover, the "SAPO Local Tax is still going on in full swing in the collection of cash which is illegal".
"This is to question as to what kind of moral obligation do the office-bearers of Southern Angami Public Organisation(SAPO) holds when they continually indulge in illegal acts which is a serious crime and dangerous for public welfare,” the note stated.
The students in the note affirmed that they are active members of NVCO and under the leadership of Kezhokhoto Savi and will continue to fight against the menace of the "illegal collection of cash" on the highways indulged by government agencies, public organization, etc. The student has also requested the District Administration to take immediate measures to stop this menace as it affects every citizen one way or the other.
In regard to shortage of LPG the students have requested the District Administration to take immediate measures to solve the scarcity of LPG distribution where the citizens are facing immense difficulty. “As submitted to the District Administration by the NVCO to streamline the Commercial LPG connection and Domestic LPG connection, the authority must take up necessary action to stop the illegal practice and black-marketing.”
Meanwhile, the team while visiting Juvenile Home, Pherima learnt from the Superintendent that there are 15 inmates and more juveniles will be joining the home as it is the only functioning juvenile home in the state. “The home is in need of more building for accommodation and require facilities such as medical, education, vocational training, aftercare programme, etc. as per the Juvenile Justice (Children Care & Protection) Act, 2000,” the note stated.
In regard to it, the team in the note also stated that the government is required to give more attention to the Juvenile Home, Pherima and also set up more juvenile homes in district headquarters in order to protect rights of the children. “We’ve conducted a brief meeting with inmates interacted with inmates and also shared our concern and encouraged them that this is a home for reformation. The student also shares about the rights of juvenile and also distributed some biscuits & sweets to the inmates as a sign of affection.”
Furthermore, the team visited the Central Jail, Dimapur. After inspecting the jail infrastructure, they conducted a short meeting in the church at the jail premises.
“...The students also presented few short talk on free legal aid under the legal services authority, right to bail, rights of the prisoners/UTP, speedy trial and also a short sharing on gospel,” the note stated.
