Take action on miscreants, Akida appeals to Nagaland government

Dimapur, July 18 (EMN): The All Kohima Indane Distributors’ Association (Akida) has appealed to the state government to take action on the miscreants involved in the recent assault of LPG truck drivers on two separate incidents.

In a representation addressed to the chief secretary, the director general of police, the commissioner of Nagaland, the association stated that failure on the part of the government to act on the request would compel it to continue the ongoing indefinite bandh of all LPG outlets and services, or take legal recourse ‘against the appropriate authority for redress of grievances’.

‘The plight of the business persons who struggle for survival and to support their family for basic sustenance is again overburdened by the so called multiple UG taxation; and are often assaulted for failing to meet the demands of the unscrupulous tax collectors. The business persons along with their workers are often gripped with tension and fear due to many unforeseen challenging factors to do with menace of multiple UG taxation,’ it stated.

According to the association, the assaults on drivers on July 4 and the 9th were ‘just a tip of the iceberg’. It stated that many ‘unaccounted cases are rampantly happening’ in the state, inflicting ‘mental trauma and strain’ upon business persons and workers.

[Also read: Indefinite closure of LPG outlets in Kohima enters fourth day]

“It is disheartening to learn from reliable government of Nagaland official source that 98% of the arrested accused on extortion cases is released on bail within a couple of days of their arrest. Startlingly, further learnt from the same source that even in serious offences booked under Arms Act and Explosives Substance Act, where minimum punishment prescribed is 5 years or more, the convicted accused persons are awarded merely 5-10 days of sentence often with the concurrence of the public prosecutors. This clearly reflects the poor functioning of the law and order in the state, as such, the business community is always at the receiving end for such lapses and consequences,” read the statement.

It went on to state that the business community regularly pays GST to the government “and having to bear the additional demands of the so-called multiple UG taxation becomes extremely difficult”.

‘Needless to state that it is the sheer responsibility of the government’s administrative authorities and the police to monitor, regulate, prevent crimes from happening in the society and protect the lives and security of its citizens. However, it is appalling to observe that the state of affairs of the law enforcing agency has been often found to be a failure when it comes to protection of the rights of business communities in general and All Kohima Indane Distributors Association in particular,’ it stated.

The association appealed to the authorities to ensure protection of the lives and security of the business community in the state.