DIMAPUR, AUGUST 7 (MExN): The Nagaland Tribes Council (NTC) has expressed concern at the alleged threat meted out to the Against Corruption and Unabated Taxation (ACAUT) Nagaland recently.
A press note from the NTC stated that the “alien cultures of threat, intimidation, illegal arrest and detention have become a part of our lives in the contemporary Naga world. Yet, these are never our culture and tradition handed down to us from our ancestors.”
It expressed concern that ACAUT activists in Zunheboto Town are allegedly “being under threat by the cadres of an NPG purportedly at the behest of Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and his subordinates in connection with 24% deduction from staff salary.” Condemning the alleged threat to activists, the NTC reminded that a Government servant “is not allowed to serve two masters by law.”
Regarding the fuel adulteration issue, the NTC stated that the business of fuel adulteration in Nagaland is not a recent event, and yet till it was busted by ACAUT it was “allowed to run freely.” It viewed that with or without the involvement of ACAUT, it is the primary duty of the State administration to detect and root out such destructive business at its nascent stage.
“Nevertheless, for obvious reasons the illicit business was allowed to become a boom. It is therefore observed that fuel adulteration has the hobnob of the big and powerful at the expense of the public,” the NTC concluded.
It stated that the exposures made by ACAUT are adequate for the Government of Nagaland to become serious and make a comprehensive investigation into it and punish those culprits appropriately as per law. Any negligence and tendency to become lethargic in serious investigation and follow up action of the Government will further expose the higher degree of possible involvements of the responsible people in the Government, it added.
Regarding ACAUT’s concern involving the alleged “kingpin” of the illicit business of fuel availing anticipatory bail, the NTC said that this is “indeed a matter of concern.”
“Though it is the legal privilege of any citizen of India to approach the Judiciary, the courts should be sensitive towards the public outcry and public interest issues,” the NTC said.
It asked the State Government to initiate “immediate step to challenge the anticipatory bail so that the process of investigation is not obstructed.” “The kingpin has taken advantage on the casual and callous attitude of the administration and taking shelter under a powerful protection, resuming the same business as reported is nothing but a total disregard to the popular resentment of the citizens of the State,” it said.
NTC has therefore urged upon the Government to expeditiously and sincerely make a comprehensive investigation on the scam by a competent authority without complacency and bring all the culprits to book in the general interest of the people.
Meanwhile, the NTC has also expressed concern regarding the incident wherein the Zeliang Peoples’ Organization (ZPO) lodged a complaint to the Commissioner, Nagaland against the alleged issue of Scheduled Certificate, Indigenous Inhabitant Certificate and Backward Tribe Certificate to two persons from Manipur who appeared the NPSC Exam 2016 in the name of the Zeliang tribe.
“This complaint is against a serious breach of existing law where non-indigenous tribal candidate or a non-member of a backward tribe cannot avail any job out of coercion,” the NTC noted. It therefore urged the concerned authorities to immediately investigate into the allegations and take appropriate action as per law.
