Lemwang Chuhwanglim
The article is solely based on the secondary information available on social media about the non-violent protest of the Co-ordination Committee on Fuel Adulteration in the state against the poor performance of the government towards illegal fuel business. Surprisingly, T.R.Zeliang declared the CCoFA non-violent protest on 18th October 2016 as illegal step which implicitly indicates that fuel adulteration is legal. Additional riveting phenomenon of law enforcement in the state is the legitimization of notifying law by the Dimapur Police on social media (facebook) on imposing 144 Cr. PC (Code of Criminal Procedure. 1973) (2 of 1947) prohibiting assembly of 5 (five) or more persons with effect from 0700 Hrs of 18th October 2016 till the next 24 Hrs”. I assume that Nagaland is the first state where the law enforcement notification on social media is legalized. One can assume that if facebook is the means to notify law enforcement, how does it reach the people who do not use facebook? Will the police act separately upon those who use facebook and those who do not use facebook? There are many citizens who do not use facebook, who may participate in the protest.
I personally condemned that fuel adulteration is an illegal practice which repercussions in numerous negative factors in the society.Cheating the citizens, destroying vehicles with unclean fuel, wrong method of business, bribery, black business and the worst crime of such illegal business is demolition of the state economic through cheating the citizens openly every day. I have no idea for how long this open illegal fuel adulteration existed in the state on the face of the State Government; however, ACAUT informs that such illegal fuel adulteration has been existed for the part more than 40 years. As usual in many factors where Nagas are blinded in many areas, fuel adulteration remains unnoticed by the Naga car wallas and non-car wallas. To unfold the blindness of the common Nagas, voluntarily organization like ACAUT initiated the finding of respective fuel stock in and around the state since 27th June 2016 by re-confirming the discovery of petrol adulteration illegally networking in the state. ACAUT clearly stated on July 3, 2016 that such fuel adulteration is a conspiracy which benefits fuel adulterators, landlords, NPGs, administrative officials, F&CS department, police and the politicians every day. The State Government was asked to immediately seal and cancel the permits of the owners. ACAUT subsequently declared to the public and the state on July 6, 2016 that SK Oil agents are associated with the kingpins fuel adulteration. On July 15, 2016, Dimapur Police reported the arrest of 12 persons (Non-Nagas) who are involved in the illegal fuel business in the state.In support to the ACAUT’s initiative, Naga Hoho on July 22, 2016 strongly appealed the Nagaland Government to institute SIT probe. As a result of the constant findings and seeking justice to abrogate such corruption in partnership of the Nagas who are involved in this black business and the Non-Nagas who easily take away money from the citizens, ACAUT on June 27, June with local youths of 5th mile and Chumukedima together smashed kerosene oil being mixed in petrol and diesel. The preceding information is based on the news media published in local dailies. The amount of work done by ACAUT in collaboration with public, organizations and administration against the fuel adulteration was kept concealed by the State government under the leadership of T.R. Zeliang.
In order to intensify the case which was kept concealed by the Nagaland government with no further penalties, ACAUT and representative of different leaders under CCoFA initiated non-violent nature of protest. However, suddenly, the silence State made prompt response by demarcating the protest as illegal. Nevertheless, the commitment of the CCoFA continues for the non-violent protest on 18th October 2010. Whether it was based on the authority from T.R. Zeliang or personal choice, Dimapur police reacted violently to the protesters with lathi charge (based on video clip) and immediately imposed 144 CrPC in NH 29. According to the clip circulated on social media on 18th October, 2016, the lone man was lathi charged by the group of policemen and there is no sign that the crowd resistance the policemen.
For those who support fuel adulteration and the politically supported policemen, they may legitimize that policemen acted according to the higher authority’s direction. However, to bring social transformation, an officer, could have withdrawn the law enforcement as a commitment to support the fight against the corruption. Instead, it indicates that policemen promote and encourage corruption.
I believe the meeting between 25 members of CCoFA with T.R. Zealing would not be the ultimate solution to end the fight against fuel adulteration. The further step to eradicate the fuel adulteration needs to be stronger in the post response from the Chief Minister if the outcome fails to fulfill the goal and objective of the protest. Giving assurance by the State Government has become a trend in the current Naga politics. Numerous assurances have been made for many issues such as ENSF demands, Teachers salary and so on; however, no fulfillment has been made as assured. These lies and failures of the State have promulgated impatience and intolerance of the citizens every day.
It is strongly recommendable for the entire Naga citizens, especially those who own cars, motor cycles and other motor engines to strongly come forward to join the fight until the justice is done for every individual who indulges in this corruption. It is not the time to sit at home and read newspapers about the hard work of few people to bring justice from injustice that includes you.You are included to come out of your home and stand in the crowd to fight against this particular illegal major business. The next hopeful step which the citizen may expect from the ACAUT and CCoAF is to go for second phase protest in any form according to the demands of the situation.
