Pointing out loopholes in the judiciary system that allow criminals to get bail easily, the Public Action Committee (PAC) under the aegis of Naga Council Dimapur (NCD) has urged the state government to enact stringent criminal law, which would deter criminals.
In a representation addressed to the state chief minister, PAC convenor Vekhosayi Nyekha and co-convenor K Ghokheto Chophy stated that while the executive forces perform their duties by apprehending criminals, the judiciary grants bail to the criminals without any difficulty. “This has greatly demoralized the Police forces (executive) to effectively and sincerely perform their duty,” the committee stated. PAC said performance of the police was commendable, but due to lack of stringent laws to book and punish the criminals, the perpetrators and trouble makers were set free within a few days and lack of strict law have become a big encouragement to criminals to commit crimes without restrains.
PAC has, therefore, maintained that in order to lighten the plight of the public, who were all affected directly and indirectly, the need to enact laws such as Maharastra Control of Organized Crime Act, 1999 and the Bihar Control of Crime Act, 1981, by state legislature was “felt ever more than before.”
“Such an act is found most relevant in Dimapur where crime is high due to its metropolitan status…” PAC added.
PAC expressed confidence that the chief minister would seriously ponder on its request as “this will definitely bring change in containing all illegal tax collections and criminal activities…”
PAC said it conducted a study on the ground realities prevailing in Dimapur and brought out a fact finding report, which it described as “appalling.”
According to the committee, it was found that from the smallest product to the biggest, illegal tax was being collected at every point of transaction. It said a product from the entry point to godown to retail was illegally taxed, which triples the price of every product. The committee asserted that the living costs of the citizens have been greatly affected as there was no price regulation due to illegal tax collections.