EMN
Dimapur, December 6
Timber traders representing various districts and spearheaded by Nagaland Timber Traders’ Union (NTTU) have strongly protested the manipulative attitude of the concerned authority for depriving genuine Naga timber traders particularly in allocation of railway wagons for transportation of teak and moulding beats.
It was revealed that names of genuine Naga timber traders and tree farmers did not figure in the list of 40 individuals and moulding units for the quarter from December 2015 to February 2016. NTTU members alleged that list of allottees for the current quarter included former ministers and MLAs, a top functionary of a Naga political group, high-ranking Forest Department officials and non-Naga timber dealers and businessmen.
A short meeting of the timber traders was held in the premises of Forest Office Complex on December 4 and later submitted a representation to the State chief minister through the office of the DFO, Dimapur.
In the memorandum to the chief minister, NTTU demanded immediate re-allocation of railway wagons for transportation of teak and moulding beats for the current quarter through the committee set-up by the government. NTTU alleged that the present allocation of railway wagons under tree felling and moulding beats scheme was made by “one man” and preference given to non-local timber traders as well as local persons who are not involved in timber business, thereby depriving many genuine local timber traders.
Terming the present allocation as “injustice and not acceptable under any circumstances,” NTTU appealed to the chief minister to intervene in the matter and take prompt initiatives for reallocation of railway wagons through the committee set up by the government.
In the meeting prior to submission of the memorandum, members of the timber community were unanimous in their demand for re-allocation of railway wagons.
NTTU president, Kevise Sogotsu, said NTTU had earlier on numerous occasions, submitted representations to the State Governor, chief minister and others demanding for setting up of a committee to oversee allocation of wagons for “fair play and justice to genuine timber traders and framer.” Now that the government has set up the committee, he questioned why it is still non-functional. He alleged that the present system of allocation is total manipulation by some vested individuals and against the interest of genuine local timber traders and farmers.
Sympathising with the aggrieved timber community, president of Western Chakhesang Hoho, Vekhosayi Nyekha, said it is high time to correct the present system of railway wagons allocation thereby giving opportunity to genuine Naga timber traders and farmers to avail the wagon scheme. Nyekha pointed out that though Phek district has the maximum number of timber traders and farmers, yet none from Phek district was included in the present list of allottees of wagons. He has assured WCH support with NTTU in their fight for justice.
President of Peren District Timber Traders’ Union, N John Zeliang, said allocation of wagons is meant for all districts and not only for Dimapur district alone. He insisted on equitable allocation for all districts.
President of Dimapur Timber Traders’ Union, Husca Zhimomi, alleged involvement of few vested individuals in allocation of wagons to non-Nagas. He called upon genuine local timber traders to rise and fight for their rights.
President of Phek District Timber Association, Sanyi Dukru, has termed the present system of allocation as pure daylight robbery of the genuine timber traders who are trying to eke out a living through the sweat of their brow. He added the manipulative action of some vested individuals and corrupt government officials cannot be tolerated anymore.
Also resenting the system of wagons allocation, president of Chumukedima Timber Traders’ Association, H Khutovi Awomi, appealed to all genuine local timber traders to come under the umbrella of NTTU to jointly fight for their rights.
NTTU secretary, Vedayi Nyekha, who chaired the meeting, said the meeting was held in the DFO office complex to show resentment against the inaction of the state government in delivering justice to genuine local timbers traders.
