Voices against forced collections and multiple taxation
Dimapur, February 16 (MExN): The ACAUT Nagaland on Wednesday stated that “the ground rules under the present Ceasefire is defective and have scuttled its purpose due to its inherent loopholes.”
ACAUT Convenor, Tia Longchar, Co Convenor Simon Kelio and Secretary Hetoi Chishi in a press release said that the 25 years of ceasefire has resulted in a dozen of “legitimate” NPGs and are likely to increase further. “For too long these lacunae have been exploited and have allowed forced collections and multiple taxation making the majority of the citizens suffer unbearably,” they alleged.
“The Chairman of the Ceasefire Monitoring Board should rectify these flaws before any future ceasefire extensions. The cadres of various NPGs should be kept under strict surveillance along with stringent restrictions of movement by arm cards holders. All designated camps should be adequately provided for,” ACAUT demanded.
To the Nagaland Government, the organization said that it should mull over introducing a stringent anti-criminal law; with or without the removal of AFSPA vis a vis the Oting massacre.
ACAUT also reminded that the NPF promised in 2003 for Naga solution “within 3 months”, the BJP declaration of “election for solution” and the formation of the second “Oppositionless Government” for Naga solution will face its litmus test in the next year general election. “This time the responsibility and importance to choose the right people's representatives have come upon the Naga electorates as never before,” it stated.
The Naga public cannot be taken for a ride anymore and the tipping point for a public revolution is drawing near, ACAUT asserted while putting across, “whether we will allow a few hundreds of Nagas to control the fate and future of the hundred thousands of Nagas or we break this depraved vicious cycle once and for all. When the right time comes for call to action it should be the bonden duty of every right thinking citizens to raise to the occasion and partake in transforming Nagaland.”
ACAUT also highlighted the two recent disturbing instances faced by local business community in a short span of time. Around 6000 permitted taxis renders essential transportation service for travellers within and outside Nagaland providing gainful employment and shouldering the responsibility of being the families bread earners, it stated.
The All Nagaland Taxi Association (ANTA) have raised their voice against the unabated taxation by multiple Naga Political Groups (NPGs) that it has reached a back breaking point for its members especially because of the pandemic and have reiterated the public resolution of ‘One Government One Tax,’ ACAUT observed.
The other instance is of a goods transport agency run by two mothers, who have been facing untold obstacles and mental harassment because of a non-local kingpin named Goshi, who is harboured and protected by some locals with vested interests. The Dimapur Police has done a commendable job by arresting him as per the FIR lodged.
It said that Tokali and Khesheli has been bringing the highly sought after second hand bales through their East India Transport Agency without paying to the syndicate and selling them few thousands cheaper to mostly Naga women working to feed their families. “The duo defiance against the dictates of the syndicate has ruffled up the feathers of the higher echelons among the divided NPGs but who are all united when it comes to unabated taxation,” it asserted.
“The panacea to all these livelihood threatening, survival issues is to bring about a political settlement at the earliest,” it added.
