By Sandemo Ngullie
Morung Express News
Kohima | December 19
As Nagaland prepares for Christmas and New Year celebrations, government departments are reportedly facing renewed monetary demands from Naga political groups, raising concerns over administrative vulnerability and entrenched informal practices.
Interviews with several officers across departments revealed that these “festival contributions” are neither isolated nor incidental, but follow a recurring pattern resurfacing each festive season.
Officials stated that the demands are typically communicated through phone calls, letters, intermediaries and even personal visits, which often create an ‘uneasy atmosphere’ in the routine functioning of offices.
According to the Deputy Chief Minister who holds the portfolio of Home Minister, Y Patton, currently, there are 26 Naga Political Groups in the state.
Officials, who spoke on ‘strict’ condition of anonymity, said such demands, which is termed as ‘contributions’ come in every year, and they are often left unsure on how best to respond, and also making it difficult to address it openly.
Despite the seriousness of the issue, very few officers are willing to speak publicly for fear of harassment, professional consequences and security concerns of themselves, their employees and families.
A pattern that returns every year
Several government departments are grappling with heightened anxiety and operational disruption due to persistent demands for “contributions” and “festive assistance” as the festive season approaches, officials have revealed.
They described the practice as an annual pattern, though the terminology used varies each year.
“This time of the year often brings a sense of heightened anxiety to the government departments. Many heads of departments find it difficult to carry out their regular duties, as they are frequently approach by multiple groups seeking contributions,” said a cashier on condition of anonymity.
Another accountant noted that the pattern repeats every festive season, calling it a “headache” not only for their superiors but also for accountants and cashiers who have to manage the situation.
“While the amount demanded differs, the pressure is consistent and the responsibility to respond or deal with this menace is placed entirely on the heads of offices,” said another officer.
Ethical dilemmas and pressure
While specific details remain sensitive and are being withhold, officers acknowledged that the demands cause stress within departments and raise serious concerns about maintaining proper administrative procedures.
Some departments are reportedly more vulnerable due to the nature of their work, particularly those involved in development activities. The ‘contribution’ demands place officers in a dilemma between personal safety and official responsibility.
Several officials admitted that such pressures disrupt routine administrative work and create internal anxiety within offices, as one officer stated “this issue create fear psychosis, undue disturbance in carrying out official works” while another admitted the pressure which is risky to “life and employment service” and deeply affects the morale of the employees as well.
While the issue in itself is challenging, an officer said, there is also the “challenges of threat and also suspicious and trust challenges from higher authority.”
“We are expected to follow financial rules, yet we operate in an environment where unofficial pressures exist,” another officer said.
Lack of clear official mechanism
When asked if there are any clear government guideline or protocol that helps HoDs to handle these situations, the response was negative.
“I am not aware such guidelines or protocols ever made to respond such demands till now and we are stuck in between,” said a HoD while another asserted that there is ‘no clear government guidelines on this.’
“The State government should come up with official notification to stop any kind of contribution/tax.” “The government should say NO to such demands” were the pleas of the department heads while pointing out that “there is a risk of service termination and misappropriation of resources in the CAG audit.”
With no clear official mechanism, for now, some departments have formed a committee and try to resolve such pressure, while others request ‘them’ to speak to the State Government authority for directions and ‘keep the demand in process as long as possible with numerous excuses in a diplomatic way.’
Total failure of law & order
Meanwhile, an observer remarked that this recurrent issue reflects the total failure of the law and order machineries including state police, Assam Rifles (AR) and other agencies to curtail various Naga Political Groups openly collecting taxes from business establishments and various state departments.
“There seems to be a lack of direction and order from higher ups to the enforcing personnel at the ground to act upon it despite having specific inputs about such extortion being carried out” said the observer while adding that “the whole incident appears to be a routine affair of ‘chalta hain attitude.’”
“Adding to the woes of the general public and businessmen, the Cease Fire Monitoring Group (CFMG), authorised to control and keep a tap on all these illegal activities remains toothless” he pointed out unequivocally.
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