EMN
DIMAPUR, JUNE 11
The ACAUT Nagaland team as part of its state tour visited Peren district on June 11 and interacted with 40 civil society organisations from all over the district including the general public from all walks of life at Town Hall, Peren.
The consultative meeting was facilitated by People’s Concerned Forum (PCF), Peren District, led by its general secretary, Pastor Mongzeung Mpom, also the chairperson for the meeting. It may be mentioned that the PCF is a social forum comprising primarily of church leaders desiring to bring social changes.
After the ACAUT Nagaland leaders listed out the aims and objectives of the ACAUT movement, the strong gathering of civil society and church leaders adopted, in principle, two resolutions, namely, to support the “One Government One Tax” initiative of the Naga people and to form local ACAUT in Peren district.
The meeting also witnessed an interactive session where members of the house shared their views on unabated taxation and corruption.
One of the prominent leaders opined that though it is laudable that the ACAUT and FNR, in one form or the other are both working for the reconciliation of the NPGs, what is required at this juncture is reconciliation at civil society level. He rued that it’s the Naga civil society represented by politicians, bureaucrats and the general public creating division in our society by patronizing the factions, even to the extent of buying arms for the warring NPGs. He also stated that most of the Kilonsers are financed by politicians and bureaucrats.
Another youth leader reflected that had there been more Haipou Jadonang then, the British would have been forced to hang all of these Haipou Jadonangs, an impossibility – a reference to the noted Zeliangrong freedom fighter who was hanged by the British in 1931 for raising the banner of revolt by refusing to pay tax. He encouraged each and everyone in the gathering to become Haipou Jadonangs in the light of the ACAUT movement so that the objective of this people’s movement is realized.
The invocation prayer was pronounced by Haiku Nza, pastor PTBC and the benediction by Rev Suitei. Earlier, the welcome address was delivered by Dennis Elunglung, advisor, PCF.
