Dimapur, Nov. 12 (EMN): Alleging that the government does not want Lokayukta “to see the light of day” in Nagaland, the anti-graft movement Against Corruption and Unabated Taxation (Acaut) has announced a ‘sit-in protest’ at New Secretariat Complex, Kohima, starting November 15 next.
A press release from Acaut on Sunday informed that it would be joined during the protest by members of PSAN, a group of civil service aspirants, and various student organisations. “We wish to tell the Naga people that this is a just fight and it is in the interest of the future generation. And the Acaut invites Naga people everywhere who believe in a better Nagaland to join us in the protest. We are not against any individual, entity or any political party and therefore, all Naga people are requested to respect our objectives and support us.”
It warned the state government that the protest will intensify ‘at any point of time if the government fails to respond’. Also, it appealed the Angami Public Organisation (APO) to exempt the proposed protest – to be spearheaded by the Public Co-ordination Committee (PCC) – from the purview of the APO’s latest ban on protests/strikes since, it reasoned, the “sit-in protest will be solely confined to New Secretariat Complex”.
It pointed out that for the last three years, Acaut and other organisations have been appealing for implementation of Nagaland Lokayukta. “The first appeal was made on 31st Oct. 2014 at Kohima Acaut public rally and later a petition was submitted to chief minister on Nov. 2014. The HPC too had recommended the setting up of the Lokayukta.
“On 31st October 2015, more than 70 college students, professionals and Acaut members walked from Dimapur to Kohima to highlight the importance of Lokayukta and a signed petition demanding its implementation appended by hundreds of supporters along the route – Jharnapani, Medziphema, Pherima, Piphema, Peducha, Zubza- was submitted to the CM. Most recently, more than 65,000 people demanded the setting up of the anti-corruption body at the ACAUT rally held on 25th August.”
It stated that “for a failed state like Nagaland” with no roads and bridges, and reeling from scams after scams like mismanagement of MNREGA funds, double withdrawals in the Finance Department, rice and fuel scams, mid-day meal scams, non-payment of students’ scholarship, etc., all at the cost of the common man, the Lokayukta was the only body to check ‘the utter corruption around us’.
It also condemned what it stated was cowardice of the standing committee of the NLA. “The standing committee suggested that the Acaut submit its own draft proposal and a next meeting was agreed upon. The Acaut condemns the cowardice of the standing committee in refusing to meet the Acaut team which had already submitted its draft proposal on 2nd October.
“Therefore, the intention of the government is clear- that it doesn’t want the anti-corruption body to see the light of day. Naga people should understand that is running out. With elections around the corner, and the ECI likely to announce elections in December or 1st week of January, 2018, the only period within which the Lokayukta bill can be passed or for the government to be able to act on the issue cited is November or 1st half of December,” it stated.
