PHEK, MAY 19 (MExN): Businesses in Phek town shut shop today in protest against alleged “threats” meted to the business communities at Phek town by one Thupuvezo Keyho, Kilonser of the NSCN (K). The “total close down” was initiated by the Phek Town Chamber of Commerce and Industries (PCCI), along with the Phek Town Youth Society and ACAUT Phek Unit.
The organizations, in a press note, informed that many youths volunteered to ensure success of the bandh. After the bandh, the organizations resolved that in the event of any threats or untoward action by any Naga Political Group, “the NGOs will have no other option but to flush them out totally and no compromise will ever arrive whatsoever.” They further rendered “unwavering support to ACAUT Nagaland.”
ACAUT Phek Unit had previously informed that the NSCN (K) Kilonser had passed an order to business communities in Phek town to boycott the ACAUT rally, which was held on May 15. When the rally was held, despite the order, ACAUT informed that the Kilonser “demanded a sum of Rs 10,000 and 5,000 as penalty from certain businessmen on May 17. It further alleged that “Keyho along with his bodyguard even went to the extent of assaulting the shopkeeper and threatened them with gun point.” “He also threatened the public leaders as to why they brought the ACAUT Nagaland team to Phek. He even tried to disrupt the rally but was stopped by the authority,” it added.
Meanwhile, ACAUT Nagaland condemned the incident and lamented that “members of the Phek Town Chamber of Commerce and industries (PCCI), Chakhesang elders and right thinking citizens are under tremendous threat from the said functionary and his boys for voicing out against unabated taxation and anti-Naga activities of the Kilonser.”
“It is beyond tolerance that the Kilonser intimidated the PCCI and ACAUT Phek Unit by trying to forcefully restrain the business community from hosting the ACAUT Nagaland rally held,” it stated. ACAUT Nagaland however noted that citizens of Phek “refused to be cowed down and held a successful rally, whereby the people of Phek shouted slogans voicing support for One Government One Tax.”
It condemned what it termed as the “anti-Naga activities of the Kilonser,” and called upon the NSCN (K) leadership to “disown such anti-social leaders and apologize to the people of Phek.” It cautioned that failure to do so would cause the NSCN (K) to face the “people’s wrath” and stated that ACAUT Nagaland “shall not be held responsible.”
ACAUT Nagaland alleges
threat to ACVA members
ACAUT Nagaland further lauded the All Commercial Vehicle Association (ACVA) Wokha District for organizing a rally on May 17 to highlight the issue of unabated taxation and for adoption of a four point resolution, including ‘One Government One Tax.’ It, however noted, that “instead of listening to the voices of the people, some of the Naga Political Groups have started targeting the leaders instrumental in organizing ACVA May 17 Rally.”
“The NPGs should accept that ACVA has understood that there can be no real peace and prosperity in our land as long as the factions remain divided,” it asserted and cautioned that any form of threats or intimidations against ACVA members “will only worsen and alienate the Naga Political Groups further from the people.” Expressing support to the ACVA, ACAUT Nagaland asserted that it “will not remain a silent spectator when these leaders are under threats.”
