Tenyimi youths denounce extortion; stand by committee

Requests for neutral forces such as CRPF, AR at check gates

Dimapur, Nov. 17 (EMN): A youth organisation representing Tenyimi youths have declared that it stands by the Naga Council’s public action committee (PAC) which is leading a move against extortion activities and illegal levies in Dimapur district. Denouncing the culture of exacting things against the free will of citizens, the organisation also reminded that members of the Naga ‘political groups’ going as far as threatening and intimidating community leaders will not be ‘acceptable.’ The Tenyimi Youth Organization Dimapur (TYOD) issued a press release to the media blaming the illegal activities for creating heavy economic burdens on common citizens. The TYOD lauded the Naga Council’s committee “for curbing” the menace of “collecting illegal money” in the form of “taxes” by various Naga ‘political groups’ as well as state government departments and its various agencies. “The public of Dimapur in particular as well as the entire district procuring or transporting essential commodities from the district have witnessed the changes in prices after the PAC have started its movement. The achievement within this short period is worth to honour by one and all,” the youth group stated. The organisation also took not that the armed groups have issued threats against community leaders. ‘In the meantime, it is disappointing to observe various threats and intimidation by the NNPGs to the leader of PAC and their family members which handiwork is highly condemnable by one and all,’ the press release stated. The committee had iterated the October 31 2013 declaration of “one government one tax” which was adopted in the presence of all Naga tribal organisations, non Naga communities and public organisations in Dimapur district, the press release reminded. Threat and intimidation “The multiple taxation and syndicate system by the NPGs as well as state government levying taxes by both the agencies over all commodities have become a heavy burdened for the general public. However, neither of them has put an ear nor have a soft corner for the public grievances,” the youth group stated. “Instead it is very unfortunate on the part of the NNPGs for entering into PAC co-convener residence as well as threatening the leaders and their family,” the youth organisation stated. “Threatening, intimidation or any course of action that is detrimental to affect the welfare of the general public cannot be accepted in any manner by the Tenyimi youth. Therefore, Tenyimi youth Dimapur requests each and every parties/groups to desist from such act that may displease the peaceful atmosphere for living.” Lease system The organisation also mentioned the ‘lease system.’ The lease systems of the Dimapur Municipal Council, which had been stopped since the movement of the committee started, is ‘highly appreciated’ by the group. The TYOD has urged the authorities in concern to not ‘entertain any such cases put forth for lease system in the near future.’ ‘Tenyimi youths shall never allow such lease systems by the DMC in all its toll booths as well as in all town area where the DMC tax is applicable,’ it stated, warning that it shall resort to any action ‘if such lease is introduced.’ Further, the Tenyimi youths requested the state government to introduce a neutral force such as the military, Assam Rifles or the Central Reserve Police Force at all the check gates of Dimapur district to assist the state’s force. This move may be used to ‘maintain neutrality as well as to control the illegal collection of money by various agencies,’ the press release suggested. The organisation felt that unless a neutral force is introduced, the fate of the public relying only on the old system of the state force is “uncertain due to the presence of various elements.” The Tenyimi youth stated that it shall stand with the PAC under any circumstance as long as the movement is in the right direction for the welfare of the people, the press release added.