Public Action Committee (PAC) under the aegis of Naga Council Dimapur (NCD) has informed all tribal hoho affiliates to “be ready with volunteers for any action any time”, after deliberating on the issue of “rampant collection of money in the market and gates by both state and non-state actors”.
PAC also expressed shock and dismay with the Department of Urban Development and Municipal Affairs “for issuing of Lease System to collect ‘Utility Fees’. PAC said such collections were the root cause for rising prices of commodities. PAC said the government has not heeded to the public outcry against such practices and therefore a clear indication of being people unfriendly.
The PAC has appealed to authorities to “contain” their personnel by desisting from such acts under the pretext of Christmas adding it was totally unchristian and against the faith. The PAC also appealed to public to inform or report such activities to the district authorities and police for necessary action.
PAC and its members condemned such activities at the meeting held on Saturday at NCD office informed Media Cell. In view of the above, PAC ,NCD has informed all tribal hohos to “be ready with volunteers for any action any time.” The meeting resolved that the PAC “will take up any action deemed fit in the larger interest of public.”
It may be mentioned that after the initial crackdown on illegal, unabated and multiple tax collections at check gates in Dimapur, prices of commodities came down including transportation costs.
However, three months after the September “Operation Check Gate” the situation has “normalised” and back to square one.
The setting up of the district price monitoring body has not impacted the situation. Some PAC members also expressed reservation at the composition of the panel.
As reported earlier, the state government has not come out openly with its response to the issue that has been raised since 2012 by ACAUT and not PAC. Even the report and recommendations of the High Powered Committee to look into the issue of rampant collections submitted in 2015 has yet to be made public. This festive season has also witnessed the upward spiral of prices of essential commodities such as tomatoes, potatoes and other items.