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Dimapur, May 22 : Against Corruption and Unabated Taxation (ACAUT) Nagaland took serious note of the issue of 24% salary deduction demanded by NPGs, and warned that any DDOs/HoDs deducting staff salaries would be doing so at their own risk and that ACAUT would file FIRs against the ‘irresponsible’ officers.
The ACAUT also appealed to all the responsible bodies especially the youth organisations in the districts to straightway file FIRs against any factions indulging in taxation/extortion.
The Media Cell, ACAUT Nagaland in a press note recalled, “In the year 2014, the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Mokokchung forced the 900 odd staff under his establishment to pay Rs. 15,00,000 (15 lakhs) - out of the Rs. 35 lakhs collected, to the NSCN-IM as 24% salary deduction despite the vociferous protest of his staff.” Media Cell also pointed out that in the early part of May, the same CMO again deducted the salaries of his employees for payment as per the demand letter of one Town Commander, Mokokchung Town, NSCN-IM.
“Not to take things lying down, employees under the CMO establishment including the 70 Primary Health Centres/Sub Centres in the district rose up in virtual revolt and took out a signature campaign resolving that their salaries cannot be deducted for payment to any underground groups.”
The ACAUT said, despite the emotion of the situation, the CMO was adamant that payment should be made. “Left with no option, the employees resolved that the matter would be brought before the DC and FIR filed against the CMO. Facing the prospect of FIR being filed against him, the CMO finally released the deducted amount to the harassed employees on 20th May.” The ACAUT urged the DC and SP of Mokokchung to take suo moto cognizance of the case and probe as to why the CMO was adamant that the 24% deducted amount be paid to the so-called Town Commander. “As the administrative head of the district responsible for the well-being of all the other departments and its employees, the DC should take cognizance of the matter and the fact that the employees under CMO, Mokokchung, have been under untold harassment for the past 2 years.”
The ACAUT said the DC, Mokokchung, cannot treat the matter lightly, as there is every chance of retribution from the armed cadres upon the employees.
“Afterall the CMO has washed off his hands from the matter. In the event this happens without the DC and SP, Mokokchung, having taken serious note of the issue, the district administration and police shall be held solely responsible for any untoward incident,” the ACAUT said.