DIMAPUR, FEBRUARY 9 (MExN): There appears to be a split in the Against Corruption and Unabated Taxation (ACAUT) Nagaland, with its convener, public liaison and co-chairman coming out against the emergency meeting of the anti corruption body which was held on February 8.
The aforesaid meeting had accepted the resignations of the body’s Chairman, Joel Naga and Spokesperson, Mar Longkumer.
However a press note from the ACAUT Convener, Public Liaison, Simon Kelio and Co-Chairman, Tia Longchar said that the emergency meeting was “uncalled for” and that it was not at the organisation’s designated office. It said that the meeting had made arbitrary decisions and had demeaned members of ACAUT “with fabricated accusations and lies.”
Explaining the sequence of events regarding the participation of ACAUT members in meetings with regard to the call for ‘Solution before Election,’ the press note said that the “ACAUT participation in the CCNTHCO was mandated and therefore the question of ACAUT members participating in their individual capacity does not arise.”
“It is unbecoming, un-Naga and unprincipled on the part of few ACAUT individuals to retract their commitment made with the Church, NJCF, apex tribal bodies, mass- based organizations, civil society organizations and the negotiating groups. These few leaders should explain as to why a press conference was called to deny their active role in the deferment of election decisions and pass the blame on the two leaders? Again, why was this issue raised when the two leaders had resigned and not before?” it questioned.
The Convener, Public Liaison and Co-Chairman meanwhile called for an immediate ACAUT general meeting, comprising of advisors on February 14 at 1:00pm at the ACAUT’s designated office.
It further informed that “till consensus is arrived and issues resolved at the general meeting, there should be no press releases, activities or representation in any forums or meetings by any member in the name of ACAUT.”
The resignation of the two ACAUT leaders, it added, “will only be decided after the hard copy of the resignation letter is tabled at the general meeting.”
