Dimapur, June 22 (EMN): The Against Corruption & Unabated Taxation (ACAUT) has declared as concurring that the NSCN (IM) was opposed to development after the latter failed to clarify whether or not it was involved in the alleged halt to works on the 4-lane highway.
The ACAUT issued a press release to the media on Thursday referring to its June 18 statement demanding that the NSCN-IM clarify within three days the allegations that the armed group had stopped said construction work.
Also, the members of the group had allegedly threatened to burn down machinery unless “tax” was paid by the contractors working on the highway, AH-1.
The platform had then declared that unless clarification was made by the outfit within the period, ‘the automatic conclusion would be that "the NSCN-IM does not want Nagaland people to enjoy fruits of development".’
The NSCN-IM has failed to clarify its position on this matter, the press release stated. ‘One can only conclude the allegations to be true. Thus, the ACAUT is left with no option but to reiterate that "the NSCN-IM does not want Nagaland people to enjoy fruits of development".’
Further, the ACAUT made it “explicitly clear” that from now ‘any disturbance’ to firms or contractors working on the 4-lane work by any entity “would be a direct challenge upon all Nagas.”
To the contractors or firms, the organization stated that they ought to understand that the Naga people are “watching the ongoing works with great trepidation” and that quality should not be compromised under any circumstances, the ACAUT stated. They are advised to take “great care” to ‘avoid misunderstandings.’
NCSU clarifies issue settled amicably
The Nagaland Contractors’ and Suppliers’ Union (NCSU) and the NSCN (IM) have “amicably” settled between their-selves the issue of alleged stoppage of work on the 4-lane Dimapur-Kohima highway.
The union issued a note to the media on Thursday.
“The home minister of NSCN (IM) called Nagaland Contractors’ and Suppliers’ Union (NCSU) officials on 21st June 2017 in connection of 4-lane road construction Dimapur-Kohima,’ the union stated.
In the words of the contractors, “the meeting thoroughly deliberated the matter for communication gap and misunderstanding between the two parties and amicably settled among ourself (sic).”
The union has informed that the work has resumed ‘since the next day.’
