Deliver on Promise to Bring Solution for Protracted Naga Political Issue— ACAUT Nagaland

Today, the 31st of October 2022 commemorates  the 10th people’s public rally organised by  Against Corruption And  Unabated Taxation (ACAUT) against the yoke and shackles of unabated taxation and corruption inspite of  the stiff opposition from those who live by the diktat that  power flows from the barrel of the gun. The formation and subsequent report of the High Powered Committee against the whole gamut of unabated taxation was the result of the public resolution on this day and still has not yet seen the light of the day. The public  resolution of  “One Government One Tax” elicited massive people response as it was the logical antidote against unabated taxation after the declaration of “One Naga National Government” by the Forum for Naga  Reconciliation (FNR) in the Naga Concordant of 2011.  On the other hand the Government of India(GOI) continues to recognise and extend ceasefires with various Naga Political groups without confining them to their designated camps nor restricting the use of combat arms by various card holders. Neither is there any clause under the present Ceasefire Monitoring rules for providing allowances and  rations to those under Ceasfire unlike those under the Peace Camp at Kohima. Thus, most of the Naga Political groups squeeze  every penny from the general public for their survival and upkeep. This diabolical myopic double standard policy of the Ministry of Home Affairs have created a huge trust deficit. 

ACAUT has been saying “enough is enough” on multiple taxation and have demanded the GOI for inclusive negotiation with other Naga political groups which led to the public resolution in ACAUT’S mother of all rallies on August 25, 2017.  The final public resolution of ACAUT’s first public rally was to expedite the Indo-Naga political solution and with the signing of both the Framework  Agreement and the Agreed Positions, ACAUT endorsed the mandate “Solution  before Election” in 2018. It been five years since then but we are back to square one. It is a foregone conclusion that election was held on the promise of “Election for Solution” made by the then designated BJP North-East incharge Ram Madhav. A flickering ray of hope is still with the BJP Government at the Centre to fulfill the aspiration of the people by giving an honourable settlement by this Christmas, which will be the last before the upcoming election.

 ACAUT Nagaland plead to the honourable Prime Minister of India that the Naga public would like to hear from the horse’s own mouth that he has the will and wisdom to fructify agreements arrived at after decades of negotiations with stakeholders. Despite perpetual extention of ceasfires during the over  25 years  under four other prime ministers none of them has the inclination nor courage to deliver what was promised.  As political settlement  is the only panacea  to the twin evil of rampant taxation and unchecked corruption plaguing  the Naga society. ln the light of the vociferous demand of overwhelming majority of naga public and CSOs for early political settlement which was seen in the waves of massive public rally held on 6th August 2022.  ACAUT Nagaland fervently appeals to the Prime Minister to deliver on his promise to bring solution for the protracted Naga political issue and to usher a new era of hope, peace and development. Kuknalim.

Tia Longchar
Convenor.
Simon Kelio
Co-Convenor.
Hetoi Chishi
Secretary.