BANDH COULD BE CALLED OFF IT DIST ADM RESPONDS TO DEMAND
Public Action Committee (PAC) under the aegis of Naga Council Dimapur at an emergency meeting at Tourist Lodge Tuesday, with 19 tribe affiliates and various frontal organisations such as DCCI, DUCCI, GBAs and Naga Women Hoho, resolved that having no option after expiry of PAC deadline served on the district administration to regulate prices of various commodities ending September 30, an indefinite bandh will come into effect from October 7 from 6 a.m. onwards.
The bandh comes right in the middle of forthcoming Durga Puja festival and could severely dampen the festive mood.
Those exempted from the purview of the bandh include- district administration, police, medial, fire services, media, paramilitary and emergency services.
Vehicles will be off road and all schools and colleges closed. However, the bandh also exempts those appearing examinations.
PAC had served its ultimatum on the DC Dimapur to revive the defunct District Price Regulation Committee(DPRC) which remained non-functional since 2012. PAC convenor who announced the decision said the PAC had been expressing resentment against the government of the day including district legislators for their empathy over public ire against illegal taxation and extortion that escalated prices of all commodities.
When asked why the bandh has been called during the festive period, Nyekha replied “ Who wants to impose bandh? We are only trying to draw the attention of the government and authorities on our pending demands.” He reiterated that the district administration should have taken cognisance of PAC demand for reviving the defunct DPRC. Nyekha also left the door open for a possible calling off of the bandh if the government and district authorities respond immediately. He also said PAC was willing to be part of the DPR committee if included but if not, then PAC will still be agreeable to the government agencies taking charge of the DPR committee. Nyekha also admitted that though there was no substantial reduction in prices of all commodities, yet the positive outcome of the week-long drive was the recent order of the DMC administrative officer in deputing DMC staff to collect tax after discontinuing the lease system.
In terms of tangible outcome on the ground, Nyekha said prices of sand and construction materials transported to the Nagaland have been considerably reduced but prices of other commodities continue to be high owing to the illegal syndicate system.
In a startling revelation PAC convenor, Vekhosayi Nyekha informed that PAC has filed FIR on three transporters accused of preventing transportation of commodities to Dimapur for unexplained reasons.
The PAC convenor along with PAC co-convenor Ghokehto Chophy disclosed the names of the transporters as: Gauri Shankar Joshi (Shingapur Transport), Inder Sharma( Freight Transport) and Prakash Rai (Ankit Transport).
Supplementing the alleged plot by the three erring transporters, Nyekha pointed out that they used to call for “Chakka Bandh” in the past against movement of trucks to Dimapur on allegations of rampant gate collections but never complained to the district authorities in Dimapur.
He said, when the PAC launched its recent week-drive against illegal and unabated tax collections at various check gates in Dimapur, they(transporters) were conspicuous by their total silence.
On the other hand, Nyekha said while there was huge decrease in number of truck transporting commodities to Dimapur during the past five days( September 27 to October 1), only the three of them( named above) continued to transport goods to Nagaland.
According to Nyekha, this was too coincidental and unexplainable and which led PAC to file FIR against the three transport firms. He also said when PAC tried to contact the three firms, only one responded while two others switched off their mobiles.
Co-convenor PAC Ghokheto Chopy told Nagaland Post that it was learnt that the three transport firms used to collect money to be paid to various factions; though the reports were ye to be verified.
It may also be mentioned that Police Commissioner Dimapur Limasunep Jamir had on September 24 at a press briefing, hinted at a nexus between transporters and various factions in Dimapur. There are presently around 20 transport firms in Dimapur which also carry goods beyond.
Nyekha also lauded the efforts of the police arresting extortionists at great risk to their lives.
He however lamented that all went in vain as those arrested were quickly given bail within a day or two after being produced to court.
In this regard, he said the PAC will write to the Chief Minister demanding legislation of tougher laws in the next session of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly.
He said in the past several representations were submitted to the chief minister but henceforth, they will have a definite time frame for action.
Nyekha revealed that several non-state actors even from outside Nagaland have also been collecting money and harassing businessman along the Nagaland –Manipur from vehicles carrying good from Moreh bound for Nagaland. He said the PAC has decided to write a letter to the Chief Secretary of Manipur to coordinate counter measures with the Nagaland counterpart to ensure safe passage of goods and commodities.
Illegal taxation/ extortion exists not only in the entry points of the state but has also spread its tentacles in districts like Wokha and Phek, Nyehka said. He said the PAC would write to the Tribal Hohos in the respective districts to form sub-committees that will function along the lines of the PAC.