Extending greetings on the eve of the New Year 2017, ACAUT Nagaland through its media cell, has recommitted itself to the enormous task ahead adding that how all people come together in facing the challenges, would define the course of everybody’s destiny and reaffirmed that “we shall overcome.”
ACAUT revealed that the “immediate challenges” for it would be to file PIL on the fuel adulteration racket and PDS scam under the Food & Civil Supplies department. In addition, ACAUT said its proposal to tour all districts on another awareness campaign on clean election, One Government One Tax (OGOT) would entail “huge expenditure” and so appealed to all , who believed in its cause, to make the difference with contributions which can be deposited in the following: Account holder- ACAUT Nagaland; Account No.348 548 40151 and IFS code-SBIN0010762.
ACAUT recalled how it began its journey of three years and the impact that was felt throughout the state, beginning with the signature campaign at Clock Tower Junction where thousands appended their signature for OGOT and the October 31, 2013 where several thousand, despite threats, reiterated their support.
ACAUT said the way to achieve OGOT was to “break down the wall” of ego, suspicion, hatred and personal differences among leaders of Naga Factional Groups (NFGs).
ACAUT said despite its journey being a long tortuous campaign of threats, intimidation, lack of man-power and massive financial constraints; it visited schools and colleges to spread awareness and tour to all districts.
On how corruption was incorporated to its campaign, ACAUT said it came about after several NFGs claimed that in comparison with their share, the state government “was taking the lion’s share”. Thus, in order to tackle “unabated taxation”, ACAUT said it decided to also check rampant corruption indulged by the state government under the pretext of insurgency and then blaming it on NFGs.
Having launched the RTI campaign, ACAUT disclosed that the battle against corruption was “even more difficult and challenging” than unabated taxation as even the government and bureaucracy were against it (ACAUT). Once corruption and backdoor appointments were raised, ACAUT said many of its members having relatives, friends and people realised that it raised issues in public domain for the sake of transparency. Despite lack of resources, ACAUT said it had to fight cases in courts and it was only due to “right thinking lawyers” who took up the cases free of cost for more than 30 appearances and some expenses borne by ACAUT members and well wishers.
It said that the campaign against back door appointment in court resulted in a landmark judgment passed on June 6, 2016 by which no appointment could be made by the cabinet or any department. However, ACAUT warned it would take the government to court for violating the court order through a “recent illegal office memorandum” and allegedly illegal appointments made in various departments.
ACAUT also disclosed it had filed several FIRs under various police stations over illegal collection and deduction of salaries by NFGs and against town commands of NFGs and HoDs of government departments and some HoDs currently under NIA investigation have obtained anticipatory bail. Besides, ACUAT said despite financial and manpower constraints it has taken up complaints on non-payment of salary, promotions and taxations. It also lamented that unabated taxation continued and opined it would take a collective voice and courage of all to end this completely.
ACAUT admitted that people’s expectations were high and though it may not deliver on all, yet the movement continues to draw strength from truth telling and people’s support to be a conduit to channel aspirations and will of people and not having the power of jury, judge and prosecutor as many expected.
The years of subjugation has taken a toll on the psyche and made Nagas cynical, doubtful and fearful of coming together to do the impossible. ACAUT said it was imperative for the present generation to invoke courage and wisdom from Christ to unshackle the chains of the past and it was now time to wake up for the sake of the future.