Appreciating the concern shown by three Dimapur apex bodies– Naga Council Dimapur, Naga Women Hoho Dimapur and Dimapur Naga Students’ Union, with regard to lightning bandh between Chumoukedima and Purana Bazaar, Co-ordination Committee on Fuel Adulteration (CCoFA) media cell said “had it not been for their solid endorsement calling for CBI enquiry within 15 days, it’s probable the people wouldn’t have downed their shutters in protest despite the police brutality at Chumoukedima”.
Media cell reminded that CCoFA, comprising of 21 civil society organizations, was formed after thorough public deliberation represented by all the leading organisations including NCD, NWHD and DNSU at the meeting held on September 10, 2016.
CCoFa said the endorsement of the three leading organisations greatly emboldened the gathering and the discourse further.
“It is no exaggeration to say that had it not been for the morale-boosting endorsement and support from these three apex organizations, the resolution to go for indefinite highway bandh in the state would not have been passed,” CCoFA stated. The committee said it appreciated the physical presence of DNSU office bearers at New Field Check gate, to express strong solidarity with the bandh volunteers.
CCoFA appealed all “to stay strong in our resolve and also to stay true to the public resolution adopted on September 10 at Lake Shilloi, to usher in a better Nagaland”.
TYOD, CYO flay police action
Tenyimi Youth Organization Dimapur (TYOD) and Chakhroma Youth Organization (CYO) in separate press statements condemned the action of police against the “peaceful protestors” on October 17 in Chumukedima.
TYOD president Thejangulie Angami and general secretary Khrozote Kapfo claimed that many youths were beaten and harassed by the police during the peaceful protest called by CCoFA on fuel adulteration issue.
They said that state government instead of taking the issue seriously was trying to defend and hide the criminal activities. TYOD clarified that the general public was compelled to voice their right through protest rally since state government was harboring criminals and miserably failed to book the culprit and took necessary cognizance steps as per the law of the land on time.
TYOD also condemned the used of abusive words by a responsible officer branding the volunteers and protester as “Mad Dog” (Tefü Kenya kemhie) when some leaders went to specify the matter.
They said that such statement has wilfully hurt the sentiment of the people and were unacceptable and intolerable in any manner especially during such critical juncture.
It therefore, appealed the responsible authority to check such irresponsible officer taking advantage of his/her uniform to sabotage in bringing a peaceful solution.
Further, TYOD assured to extend fullest support on the demand of the CCoFA for CBI inquiry on fuel adulteration. In this regard, it appealed state government to consider the matter and forward it to CBI so that the issue would be thoroughly investigated.
TYOD also appealed to all section of people not to politicize the issue since it was a fight for justice for the welfare of all citizens. Rather, it asked the people to stand united in the fight against corruption.
TYOD further wished a seedy recovery on those youths who were injured in the police action.
CYO: Chakhroma Youth Organization (CYO) while condemning the action of police for using force to “subdue” the rights of the common people by defending the criminals said that the situation could have been averted if the responsible authority has taken the matter for consideration in view of the welfare for the citizens.
Instead, state government has labelled the fights for the rights as illegal, which clearly indicated its involvement in the adulteration case, said CYO president Neizelie Keditsu and general secretary Thejangulie Metha.
The organization has also viewed seriously on the words used by an officer calling the protestors as “mad dog”, since it directly ignited more flame over the critical issue. Further, CYO said that used of tear gas by security force even inside the school premises, has created fear psychosis among the students, who were attending classes.
The organization has also extended its support on the demand of CCoFA for CBI inquiry on the fuel adulteration.