Dimapur, September 29 (MExN): The Nagaland Timber Traders’ Union (NTTU) has expressed shock over reports that timber unions and associations in some districts are levying tax on vehicles carrying logs and timbers while such vehicles are crossing the districts.
Condemning such activities, the NTTU in a press release from its President Kevise Sogotsu cautioned that “it will initiate stern action against any of its affiliated unions and associations when found indulging in such acts.”
“The timber community has been fighting all these years against taxation imposed on us by various government agencies and other groups. This fight for justice is meaningless if we do not first clean our own kitchen,” it said.
NTTU, through the release has also reminded the state government that “its departments and agencies manning check gates are still collecting tax from timber-laden trucks despite repeated reminders in the past that such collection are downright illegal and amounts to extortion.”
The union, in this regard, iterated that “timber traders and tree farmers are also all Nagas and engaged in our own private plantation or forest.”
“NTTU will be compelled to go to any extent to see that such illegal tax gates are removed,” it pointed.
The union also stated that in the present scenario, the timber traders and local tree farmers are undergoing immense hardships and running at losses and many are in debt and finding hard to run their families.”
It, therefore, appealed various Naga political groups “to listen to the genuine plight of the timber traders and tree farmers and exempt them from taxation for at least three years. NTTU will always cooperate and support any Naga political group which is ready to listen to our voice.”
