Iboyaima Laithangbam
Imphal, Jan. 5: Disillusioned by the lukewarm response from the Nagaland government, traders have submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking his intervention.
With burgeoning extortions by armed groups and criminals, traders and businessmen at Dimapur, the commercial town serving both Nagaland and Manipur, had formed the Against Corruption And Unabated Taxations (ACAUT). In absence of appropriate government actions, the ACAUT which is left to fend for itself is fighting a losing battle.
Complaints on extortion threats were lodged with the police and some arrests had been made. However, the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang) took umbrage at the way in which ACAUT had ganged up with the ‘Indian security agencies’. In a statement, the ACAUT pointed out that the outfit, which is allergic to anything Indian loves the Indian Rupee and it is hypocrisy.
The ACAUT says that there were several bomb blasts and grenades were planted in shops and houses of traders and businessmen at Dimapur, causing deaths and injuries. It contended that the NSCN (K) was waging a war against its own civilian population.
The NSCN (K) is one of the outfits which had signed ceasefire agreement with the Union Government. Since the State and Central forces are reluctant to take on outfits in Nagaland, which are signatories to the ceasefire agreement, there are unabated extortions.
It is also alleged that several outfits, which had come overground after signing suspension of operations with the government are also indulging in extortions. The police had to make some arrests of such persons in designated camps. Besides, villagers have opposed government plans to open a designated camp to lodge the insurgents who want to join the mainstream.
Since the State and Central forces are reluctant to take on outfits in Nagaland, which are signatories to the ceasefire agreement, there are unabated extortions.
(Courtesy The Hindu)
