Dimapur: The Naga Council, Dimapur decided to re-impose the traditional Naga tax on livestock at its second Councilors’ meeting held today. The social body had earlier decided to cease collection of Naga tax in mid 2004 due to ‘rampant extra-judicial collection by various organizations in Dimapur.’ According to a release issued by W Lemba Chang, General Secretary of the Council, “However, a review of the decision was warranted as members of public and competent authorities opined that the Naga Council should maintain its tradition of upholding the symbolic Naga Tax on imported livestock in order to register the Naga identity and custom as practiced in the past.”
While saying that nominal rates will be levied as taxes Chang said that this tax was primarily to signify the tradition/custom and Naga ownership in their own land and not collected for any commercial nor profit motive.
After intense discussions by representatives from all tribes including special invitees from the GB Union, Dimapur and Women Hoho, the following resolutions were passed:
• Resolved to revoke resolution No.2 of Councilors’ Meet dated 14-03-2005 which suspended collection of Naga Tax on imported livestock but to resume the token collection as per Naga custom practiced earlier.
• That the said Naga Tax shall be levied only on items traditionally covered in the past with no change in rates
• That the House resolved to resume the realization of 5% Naga Commission on public auction as practiced in the past.
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