DIMAPUR, JUNE 17 (MExN): The NSCN (IM) today asserted that it has the “sole legitimacy to represent and collect tax,” and listed out various reasons for its position. It further condemned the ACAUT Nagaland for its efforts to “sabotage the very foundational principle of the Naga Government on taxation...”
A press note from the MIP of the NSCN (IM) claimed that the NSCN is the only Naga government whereby all the Naga tribes are sufficiently a member; has jurisdiction control over all the Naga ancestral territory; only Naga government representing the Naga political issue having peace talks with the Government of India; only Naga government that has internationalised the Naga political issue; and in control of all Naga territories and running government effectively covering 27 regions.
It listed out the various international organisations, including the Unrepresented Nations and People’s Organization (UNPO), The Society for Threatened People,’ Parliamentarians for National Self Determination (PNSD), Naga International Support, Geneva Call, Kreddha (The International Peace Council for States, Peoples and Minorities), PILPG (Public International Law & Policy Group), ‘Idasa’ a strong South Africa Human Right organization, KWIA (Support group for indigenous peoples) – Belgium based Human Right organization, AIPP (Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact), Forum for Asia, and Other Media – Delhi based Human Right organization, “who are strong supporters for the Naga cause.”
The NSCN (IM) further informed that Jimmy Carter, former President of United States of America was “graceful enough to appreciate the presentation of NSCN on Naga issue that he personally wrote a letter on 18th June 2005 to the Prime Minister of India Narasimha Rao and to NSCN for early and peaceful settlement of the Indo-Naga conflict.” “The oft quoted statement that no Nationalist organisation has the public mandate is a wrong notion because on 20-21 January, 2005, the 4th Naga People’s Consultative meeting held at CHQ, Hebron mandated NSCN to represent the interest of Naga people’s political case at the negotiating table with India. The signed mandate was appended by every Naga tribe’s representatives including the Church leaders, Hohos and Gbs,” the NSCN (IM) stated.
It asserted that “paying tax to NSCN is in itself a political demonstration of indicating that Naga people pay tax to Naga government and not the occupying force.” “Now if the representation and sacrifices of NSCN on behalf of the Nagas is not worthy enough to pay tax then let ACAUT respond as to whom it suggest the Naga public shall pay to,” it questioned.
It iterated that the NSCN (IM) has been “reminding the other groups to come and join the peace process which is in its concluding stage so that the final decision could be worked out together and the voice of “one government one tax” shall also be achieved.”
Affirming that the NSCN (IM) will continue to “do what is best for the Naga people,” it appealed to the Nagas at home and abroad to “remain firm to the cause that is dear to all of us.”
