Kohima: The state-wide tour of Protesting Corruption and Unabated Taxation (ACAUT) Nagaland, state-wide tour which begun on May 14, culminated at Centre Point Zunheboto, yesterday, when the entire Zunheboto town echoed ‘one government, one tax’, slogan.
Former bureaucrat Khekiye K. Sema, IAS and member consultative body ACAUT Nagaland commented on the development and transition of Naga freedom struggle which he now claimed to have been reduced to ‘factionalism and tax collecting agency’, ACAUT release said.
Stressing on the slogan ‘one government, one tax’, Mr Khekiye maintained that unless the NPGs/factions come under one common banner/platform, the solution and sovereignty of the Nagas would never be achieved.
The independence, sovereignty and solution of Nagas struggle would yield no result unless the Naga Political Groups (NPG or undergrounds) stop fighting among themselves and unite themselves, he asserted.
In a power packed speech, Khekiye also acknowledged the power and strength of unity citing the recent ‘Mukalimi siege’.
He also reminded that the ACAUT or the Nagas are not for or against any NPGs and that ACAUT as a mandate body was against all sorts of corruption.
He said that ACAUT has confronted the adversaries irrespective of the affiliations both over ground and underground.
Pointing out that Naga society has been crippled with corruption, down from the village or grass-root level, peons to Head of Departments (HoD) and to the highest State Government agencies, he said such evils can only be dealt with if the people unite and join hands to fight against the same.
Taxation issues are menaces not only from the NPGs but from other governmental, civil and local machineries as well, Mr Khekiye added.
Co-chairperson ACAUT Joel Nillo Kath in his short speech highlighted the brief account and history of the ACAUT.
He lauded the support and mass participation by citing the mammoth historic public rally in Dimapur October 31 and subsequent meet at Chumukedima which hugely motivated the ACAUT stand-off against anti-social elements.
Sumi Hoho (SH) General Secretary Vihuto Asumi briefly lamented the current irregularities, corruption and challenges prevalent in Zunheboto such as public health, development, taxation burdens and lapses of some HoDs in Government offices, which are confronting the Sumi Hoho and the general public at large.
He concluded by assuring that the Sumi Hoho and Sumi people will support and extend solidarity to the ACAUT’s fight and movement. (UNI)
