‘No authority had issued license to blackmail’

EMN DIMAPUR, AUGUST 20

Coming out with a strong voice over the demand of Rs 1 crore issued to one M Longri Pongen by unidentified person(s), the Ao Senso Telongjem Dimapur (ASTD) made it ‘very clear’ that it will not allow any individual groups to destroy the Naga society at their own whims and fancies just to con their evil desires. “No authority had issue any license to any individual or any group to threaten or blackmail any person or family without any rhyme and reasons,” ASTD president, Supu Jamir and general secretary, C Onen Walling stated in a press statement on Tuesday. Pained at the fact that Naga society has been infested with dacoits, mafia, dons, murderers, rapist, and extortionist which it said resulted to unmeasurable damages to the society, Further, stating that enough destruction have been caused to the Naga society, the ASTD said it will not permit any citizens to be threatened or blackmailed under the shadow of guns and bombs. “It is very painful to state that our society has been insisted with dacoits, mafia, dons, murderers, rapist, and extortionist, and as a result of which immeasurable damages has been infected to our Naga society, the release said, and therefore appealed ‘all the right thinking citizens to stand steadfast against the cannon of terror’. Some unidentified person(s) issued threatening note to M Longri Pongen on August 31 last demanding Rs1crore from him and warned to kill his entire family members in the event of failure to fulfill the demand. The ASTD has termed it as ‘neither can be justified by any civilized law, nor before any forum’ and therefore vehemently condemned it. In a separate press release, the Duncan Bosti Council has expressed deep shock at the reports of serving demand note of Rs 1 crore to M Longri Pongen, a permanent senior citizen of Duncan Bosti and threatening to eliminate him and his family if he fails to pay. This is absolutely absurd and unbecoming of a person when Nagas are ushering into a new era of peace and unity amongst us, stated a press note jointly issued by DBC Imti Longkumer and Dr YY Kikon, chairman and secretary respectively. While strongly condemning such unexpected harassment from unknown caller who they said, ‘might have been misguided to serve such a letter’, the council has extended its solidarity to M Longri Pongen and his family. Further, the council has also appealed to the unknown caller to come out openly, if there is any justification for such a demand from a retired government servant like M Longri Pongen. Meanwhile, the council has also appreciated the efforts of the Police and further asked to leave no stone unturned till the culprit is arrested. In yet another press release, the Dimapur Ao Youth Organisation has also extended solidarity to the Dimapur Mangmetong Senso Telongjem in regard to the extortion note served to M Longri Pongen. While vehemently condemning serving the ‘unjustified demand note’ to a senior citizen, the DAYO has appealed the law enforcing authority to expediently investigate the case and arrest the miscreants. The DAYO has declared that it will pursue the matter till justice is delivered and take its ‘own course of action’ and further appealed to all ‘right thinking citizens’ to cooperate in eradicating the menace of illegal taxation.