Strike by Kohima LPG dealers enters seventh day
Kohima, July 18 (MExN): As the strike by Kohima LPG dealers entered the sixth day on Saturday, the All Kohima Indane Distributors Association (AKIDA) submitted a representation to state authorities, drawing attention to the “intense hardships” faced by the business community at large. It also appealed for the authorities to ensure security and protection of the lives for the community.
In the representation which was addressed to Nagaland Chief Secretary, Commissioner and Director General of Police, AKIDA President Kuolachalie Seyie and General Secretary Tseibou Dzüvichü, highlighted the plight of business persons whose “struggles for survival” and sustenance are “overburdened” by multiple taxation.
The business persons along with their workers are often gripped with tension and fear as daily business transaction poses risk upon their lives due to many unforeseen challenging factors associated with multiple taxation, it said.
Referring to the two incidents on July 4 and 9 where LPG truck drivers were reportedly assaulted, AKIDA claimed that “many unaccounted cases are rampantly happening in the State pushing the business persons and workers under mental trauma and strain.”
Further, the association, citing “reliable Government of Nagaland official source,” laid claims that “98% of the arrested accused on extortion cases are released on bail within a couple of days of their arrest."
Startlingly, even in serious offence booked under Arms Act and Explosives Substance Act where minimum punishment prescribed is 5 years or more, the "convicted accused persons are awarded merely 5-10 days of sentence often with the concurrence of the Public Prosecutors,” it added, citing the source.
“This clearly reflects the poor functioning of the law and order in the State, as such, the business community is always at the receiving end for such lapses and consequences,” the representation stated.
AKIDA also pointed out that business communities' survival are at stake as they regularly pay “huge” GST tax imposed by the Government as well as the "multiple UG taxation."
While it is the responsibility of the Government’s administrative authorities and the Police to monitor and prevent crimes from happening in the society, “it is appalled to observe that the state of affairs of the law enforcing agency has been often found to be a failure when it comes to the protection of the rights of business communities,” it stated.
As such, the association appealed the authorities to take strict legal action against the miscreants in the July 4 and 9 incidents, failing which, the AKIDA “shall be compelled to resort to continue the existing indefinite bandh of all LPG showrooms and LPG services in protest against the culprits or take legal recourse against the appropriate authority for redressal of grievances.”
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