Dimapur, June 27 (MExN): The Public Action Committee (PAC) of Naga Council Dimapur in its meeting held on June 25 has resolved to give a dateline till July 31 for the initiation of a criminal control act in Nagaland similar to that of Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) or the ‘Goonda Act’ to control organised crime in the state.
It warned that failing to do so, the PAC will initiate necessary action “till the demand is met.”
The PAC said that with the gradual relaxation of the lockdown by the Government, businesses are slowly limping back to normalcy. While the Police forces are deployed to fight COVID- 19, the various NPGs have taken undue advantages and started random illegal collection of money, the PAC stated.
“The foremost affected are the business fraternity and transporters who are forced to pay the illegal taxes which is ultimately realised from the consumers and public,” it said.
It said that the illegal collection of money in the name of several NPGs group have tripled after ceasefire. “There is no fear of the law and the city is run by organised thugs with guns and protected by Ceasefire and Peace Talks,” PAC stated.
Stating that the urgency was felt now more than ever, the PAC appealed the Governor to conclude the Naga Peace talk without further delay as the public and common man are the worst affected since the problem was directly linked with Naga peace talks.
It mentioned that the PAC had earlier appealed to the Chief Minister and the Governor to pass such an act to deter criminals, which has not seen the light of day till now.
While appreciating the concern shown by the Governor to the plight of the public by taking up the matter with the state government, the PAC has served an ultimatum on the state government till July 31, to initiate an anti-crime act.
NVCO voices support for PAC’s demand
The Nagaland Voluntary Consumers’ Organisation(NVCO) has extended its support to the Public Action Committee(PAC) of Naga Council Dimapur in asking the state government to initiate an anti-crime act in the state, terming it ‘the need of the hour’.
The NVCO reminded that earlier in 2014, it had urged the legislators to legislate stringent laws such as Maharashtra Crime Control Act and UP’s Goonda Act to combat extortion in the state.
NVCO President Kezhokhoto Savi, Advocate said that ‘the word corruption is a household talk but very less action coming forward in combating corruption’.
Reacting to the Nagaland police’s recent statement on its law enforcement drive in the state, the NVCO said that the state police had highlighted their achievements as soon as the letter of the Nagaland Governor R N Ravi addressed to the chief minister became public.
It questioned as to how nothing has been mentioned about “illegal taxation at the check-gates and on highways by organizations/ federation/ government agencies/several groups/ public organisation/associations including Nagaland Police where collection of cash is regularly conducting at the check-gates maintained by Nagaland Police.”
