Gives seven days to state government to arrest ‘culprits’; warns of state-wide strike
Our Correspondent
Kohima, Sep. 4 (EMN): Fuming taxi drivers, led by the Kohima-based All Nagaland Taxi Association (ANTA), has served the state government with a seven-day deadline to solve the suspected murder of one of its members, Swüdüve Nakro.
Nakro was found dead near Dzüvüve, between Chiechama village and Nachama village junction under Kohima district on September 3 last, with injuries on his head suspected to have been caused by a blunt object.
On Monday, hundreds of taxi drivers led by ANTA leaders gathered at the office of the deputy Commissioner of Kohima and submitted a representation demanding the arrest of the ‘culprit(s)’ within 1 week.
They warned the authorities of an indefinite strike throughout the state in the event of the government failing to meet their demand. The representation was submitted to DC Kohima, Rajesh Soundararajan.
The ANTA, in its representation, has also asked the state government to provide ex-gratia to family members of Nakro, and provide safety and security measures for all taxi drivers, especially at night.
While appealing for immediate action and intervention, the association has appealed the authorities concerned to pursue the case at the earliest to avoid ‘all complications and further misunderstanding between the public and the association’.
Meanwhile, ANTA has cautioned that during the period of strike threatened that in the event of any private vehicles found indulging in ferrying/carrying passengers, the drivers/owners of those particular private vehicles would be held solely responsible for any untoward repercussions.
In a meeting held between SP Kohima, Joseph Hesso, ANTA officials and DC Kohima, Rajesh Soundararajan at his office chamber, the DC conveyed his condolences to the bereaved family members, and assured all help and support from his end.
He also requested the ANTA officials to extend all cooperation and support to the police in the process of investigation.
Hesso assured that the police would give their best and expedite the investigation in order to nab the culprit(s), and requested the ANTA to refrain from organising bandhs/strikes which is likely to disturb “the peace and affect the public.”
Addressing its members gathered outside DC’s office, ANTA president, Vibasetuo Solo asserted that the association would not rest until justice was delivered, while stating that this was not the first and only time that taxi drivers were ‘abused and killed.’
Recalling an incident in which a taxi driver from Dimapur was killed in the month of July, Solo said the safety and security of the taxi drivers were at stake. These incidents, he said, have created a sense of insecurity, confusion and disillusion among the taxi drivers.
Solo also maintained that taxi drivers were often abused and humiliated which mostly go unreported, and hence asked the government to provide safety and security to the taxi drivers stating that human lives were more important than any other.
He also informed that as a sign of resentment, all the taxis under Kohima district wouldl ply with black flags for a week.
