BIKERS CREATE AWARENESS FOR OCT 31 PUBLIC RALLY AGAINST CORRUPTION AND TAXATION
EMN
KOHIMA/DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 29
As prelude to the October 31 awareness rally on unabated taxation and corruption initiated by Angami Youth Organization, Angami Students’ Union and Kohima Chamber of Commerce & Industries under the aegis of Against Corruption and Unabated Taxation (ACAUT) Nagaland, a bike rally was held from Dimapur to Kohima today.
Around 55 bikers in Royal Enfields buzzed around the State capital making public announcement requesting the people to join the awareness rally and support the movement against corruption and unabated taxation. They converged at Old MLA Hostel, wherein a brief welcome programme was held.
Welcoming the bikers, KCCI spokesperson, Neingulie Nakhro said that the rally is being initiated to create awareness amongst the general populace to join the fight against any form of taxation and corruption, be it by underground or over ground groups.
He said that the Naga public have been taxed for more than 60 years and it is time for the Nagas to come together to stop such taxation. If the present generation does not change it today, the Naga people will continue to suffer even in the future, he said, adding, “It is all about a revolutionary movement”.
Maintaining that the rally is for the cause of the common interest of the public, he said last year’s rally was held on the same day in Dimapur.
A signature campaign was also held for which white banners have been put up at the Old MLA Hostel junction for the general public to sign supporting the movement.
Meanwhile, Northern Angami Youth Organization (NYAO) has informed to all the village youth executives under its jurisdiction to attend the October 31 awareness rally. NAYO also requested all its members residing in the capital to be present (in traditional attires) and show solidarity towards this movement which was launched by ACAUT a year ago in Dimapur.
The rally which is slated for 10 am will also be commemorating ACAUT’s first anniversary.
On the day, leaders of various organizations and intellectuals would be addressing the gathering on the social evils and criminal activities afflicting Nagaland in the form of illegal, unabated taxation and corruption, NAYO said.
Earlier in the morning, eighteen riders from the Nagaland Motorcycle Club took the 70-odd-km journey from Dimapur to Kohima as a mark of solidarity and support to the anti-corruption and anti-taxation public rally.
Some members of Against Corruption and Unabated Taxation (ACAUT) along with Naga Council Dimapur (NCD) officials gathered at Clock Tower junction in Dimapur around 8 am to flag off the bikers.
In a brief message, ACAUT members acknowledged the support from members of the Nagaland Motorcycle Club. One ACAUT members said, “You have chosen to be on the right side of history.”
Markedly, preparations to this year’s rally in Kohima have not been subjected to acts of sabotage and obstruction from any side. In contrast, the rally in Dimapur last year was preceded by a series of incidents and campaigns by some groups to prevent the rally from taking place.
