ACAUT condemns ‘attempt to life’ on member

Against Corruption and Unabated Taxation (ACAUT) Nagaland has strongly condemned “intimidation and attempt to life” upon its member Abe Mero allegedly by NSCN (K) cadres in the heart of Kohima town Wednesday. In a statement, ACAUT Nagaland media cell alleged that two NSCN (K) members demanded “non-local tax of Rs. 300/- each” from the two occupants of a truck unloading building materials of Abe Mero at Jail Colony, Kohima.
When she objected, the two brandished their weapons and chased her around the house and fired shots, the empty cases of which were with the police. ACAUT further alleged that the two colony residents were also badly beaten up after which Abe Mero was chased for the second time.
ACAUT also informed that one of the two cadres was identified by Mero from photographs provided by Kohima police was identified him as the brother of NSCN (K) Kohima Town commander.
ACAUT has   demanded that NSCN-K Kohima town commander hand over his brother to the police immediately as  he was “morally and legally” bound to do so since his brother demanded illegal tax in the name of the organization. ACAUT Nagaland called on NSCN (K) leadership to tender a public apology to the Abe Mero and the two victims who were beaten up.
ACAUT said if the NSCN (K) claim that the cadre was no longer under with the organization, it should be backed by termination order along with newspaper clipping,  failing which ACAUT Nagaland would take up the matter with the Naga people in Kohima.
Lauds ‘Lenten Agreement’
ACAUT Nagaland has lauded NSCN/GPRN, GPRN/NSCN and NNC/FGN for listening to the voice of the Nagas culminating in the signing of the Lenten Agreement under the initiative of FNR.
In a statement, ACAUT said the agreement was a step in the right direction to form “one national government” and usher in permanent settlement to the “Indo-Naga problem.”
However, ACAUT Nagaland said it would be “cautiously optimistic” since other Naga groups were yet to join the national initiative of FNR for a common Naga future.
ACAUT drew the attention of the signatories and FNR on three points.
FNR and Lenten signatories should sincerely reach out to the other Naga groups, said ACAUT and added that FNR may state in clear terms that reconciliation was a time-bound process and the other Naga groups willing to join the on-going process should do so without any pre-condition and within a specific period.
ACAUT pointed out that any delay in the formation of “one national government” at this juncture could jeopardize Naga aspirations for permanent settlement. In case, the other Naga groups failed to join the process within a specific period fixed by FNR, Nagas have to conclude that such groups have ceased to believe in a common Naga future and therefore are un-mandated organizations.
In the unlikely event of a deadlock between the signatories, FNR should fix responsibility upon the erring group/s responsible for the deadlock and such should be made known to the Naga people.
Transparency on the part of FNR in fixing responsibility upon the signatory/signatories for any deadlock or intransigence was a critical component of the reconciliation process, said ACAUT.
The modalities for ‘one national government’, including ‘one tax’ should be worked out at the earliest before critical erosion of public support took place, said ACAUT.