Correspondent
KOHIMA, OCTOBER 29
Ahead of its much anticipated mega public rally to be held in the state capital, the Against Corruption and Unabated Taxation (ACAUT) activists and the rally organizers had a panel discussion Wednesday evening at The Hut conference hall, Kohima. Putting to rest the public apprehension why the ACAUT delayed its rally in Kohima while the rest of the district headquarters were covered, ACAUT Nagaland representative Dr. Khekuga Muru cited several reasons. He said Kohima being the state capital where people from all communities reside, it was deemed fit that the Kohima rally is held commemorating the occasion where thousands of Nagas rose to embrace the reformist movement in Dimapur on October 31, 2013.
“Our main objective is to create awareness…..Strengthen the resolve of the Naga people towards ‘One Government, One Taxation’ and to make the people realize that corruption is not acceptable,” he stated, and added that they wanted to ensure that the message of the rally does not just reach the people of Kohima and end there, but that it will reverberate throughout the rest of the state.
Dr. Muru said Kohima is privileged to have organizations like the Angami Public Organization (APO) and its affiliate youth and students’ units and the Kohima Chamber of Commerce & Industries (KCCI) working tirelessly for the people of the state capital, which in turn ensured a safe place for Nagas. While stressing that ACAUT has something to learn from these organizations, he pointed out that at the same time, ACAUT can also share their experiences with them and they could learn from each other.
He remarked that ‘One Government, One Tax’ is not a new concept for the Angami community as they had taken a resolution a decade back not to give any tax to any faction unless they unite. “Angamis are the fathers of our slogan today…..ACAUT is echoing their stand,” he said.
ACAUT Nagaland vice chairman, Joel Nillo Kath stressed that the ACAUT movement is not against the Naga national movement, however, ACAUT believes that as long as there is factionalism in the movement there will be no solution to the 67 years old Indo-Naga problem. “ACAUT is saying that all the factions should unite and come together under a single umbrella or entity so that we Naga people can give one tax to one single entity,” he asserted. He also said the ACAUT is trying to tell the people not to encourage factionalism in the Naga national movement by way of paying tax to all the different factions which indirectly legitimizes their actions and their existence.
When asked why the KCCI, a trading agency is backing the proposed public rally and participating actively in it, KCCI vice president Jabu Sekhose said the trading community has been facing and bearing the brunt of multiple taxations for a long time. He feels that the business community will learn a lot and benefit by participating in the public rally in such a forum.
As for Angami Students’ Union (ASU) president, Zakie Khate, who was also a panelist, supporting the movement and participating in the rally speaks more of following the conviction of one’s conscience and the commitment towards what he/she can do for the people.
“By extending our support to this movement, this is not about the ASU or any organization, it is about the conviction of one’s attitude towards an initiative which we want to see materialize and realized in our society,” he stated.
He is of the view that students being the future leaders, young people can be sensitized about taking measures to bring about positive changes to the society.
Pointing out that there is rampant corruption in today’s Naga society in the form of embezzlement/favoritism/nepotism, ACAUT legal cell convener Kezhokhoto Savi lamented that everyone has become a part of this corruption. He feels that it only depends on the individual to decide if he or she can continue to live with this corruption. He highlighted that ACAUT is striving to press the state government to set up Lokayukta in Nagaland emphasizing its need to check corruption.
On the visible changes that the ACAUT movement has brought about during the past one year, ACAUT officials said with the immense response that the movement has received, they believe that the seed of awareness has been sown, raising the conscience of the people. They feel the movement has curtailed taxation to some extent. They also mentioned their demand for a High Powered Committee at the government level and the subsequent constitution of one by the state government.
Meanwhile, the panellists informed that there will be a signature campaign for those who support the ACAUT movement slogan ‘One Government, One Taxation’ and against corruption. The rally organizers have requested all citizens of Kohima to attend the Public Rally Against Corruption and Unabated Taxation on Friday at Old MLA Hostel Junction.
