Morung Express: Dimapur: Sunday,
April 20, 2014.
In the
backdrop of filing RTI in two departments in Civil Secretariat on Tuesday
(April 15) in Kohima, ACAUT hold a session with the faculty, staff and students
of Sakus Mission College on April 16.
Against
Corruption & Unabated Taxation (ACAUT) has been visiting various colleges
in Dimapur to spread its message and to spread awareness. A press note issued
by ACAUT Media Cell said that the team was greeted with a standing ovation as
it entered the college auditorium which was a sign of their support and which
uplifted the spirit of the ACAUT team. A faculty member of the college chaired
the session and it began with a prayer. The two main speakers were ACAUT Vice
Chairman Joel Nillo Kath and Convener RTI Cell Dr. Kekhuga Murru.
Joel Nillo
Kath gave a brief history on how ACAUT came into being and how ACAUT had to
change its nomenclature from ‘Action Committee Against Unabated Taxation’ to
‘Against Corruption and Unabated Taxation’ keeping the needs of the Nagas in
mind.
He said that
if Naga people had not given their mandate on October 31, 2013 ACAUT Rally held
in Dimapur where tens of thousands gave their support, ACAUT would not have
existed. ACAUT is not against the Naga National movement as such he added but
factionalism has separated the Nagas, which in turn has led to
multiple-taxation, which weighed down on the Common Nagas. “One Government, One
Tax” is what ACAUT stands for and the core message is to let the Naga People’s
Groups unite so that public can pay tax to one Government.
Dr. Kekhugha
Murru stated that ACAUT is determined to weed out corruption and it will
continue to remain a pressure group as long as corruption exists. Corruption
exists in every sphere and he exhorted that the common Nagas have to unite in
tackling this issue of corruption, which is a cancer for everyone. It should be
noted here that ACAUT is taking the issue of corruption with all seriousness
and with the support of the common Nagas, the Movement will press in finding a
solution to this problem.
Mar Longkumer,
Convener Media Cell also spoke on the occasion. “It should be the students who
should be most worried about the sorry state of affairs of our society and the
students should be proactive on issues affecting us,” he said. “The
civilization of any society is indicated by the collective response of every
individual, implying that Nagas have to make a concerted effort in tackling
issues affecting us,” he added.
The ACAUT
pledge to fight against corruption was led by Tia Longchar, ACAUT Public
mobilization convener. He led with conviction as everyone present placed their
hands on their hearts, repeated the pledge and declared that they were now
ACAUT Nagaland. Chairman-cum-proprietor of Sakus Mission College, Er. Saku Aier
(Ex-Parliamentary Secretary) said that the college fully supports ACAUT.
There was an
interactive session where students fielded various questions to the ACAUT team
and some questions even cornered the members. It concluded with the song “We
shall overcome” which was led by the Social Media convener, Kevitho Kera.
The other
ACAUT members who attended were Simon Kelio, convener Liaison cell who is also
the Vice-principal of SMC, Y. Zhimomi GS GB Union Dimapur, Likolo VP DNSU,
Solomon L. Awomi, general secretary ACAUT and president EDBA, Zhalie, Assistant
General secretary ACAUT and Hukiye VP DUCCF.
Meanwhile, it
further informs that ACAUT would like to visit more colleges and invitation can
be given through Tia Longchar ACAUT Public Mobilization convener.
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