Dimapur| September 25 : Some non-Naga people doing business in Dimapur are being subjected to a new kind of “tax.” The tax is being collected by Naga men lurking around the town demanding money from street vendors, tea and food stall owners, hawkers and rickshaw pullers. These people are being taxed anywhere between Rs.50 to Rs.300 by extortionists who claim to be “national workers.” The so called tax is being imposed on “Chula” (kitchen), “gas”, “bisna” (bed) and “family”.
Shocking—Naga miscreants tax people for kitchen, gas, family…
Earlier this month, The Morung Express learnt that non-Naga people living towards Burma Camp were paying tax called “Chula tax.” On further investigation, it came to light that people were paying not just “Chula tax”, but also “bisna tax”, “family tax” and “gas tax.” It also emerged that the tax collection was going on other parts of Dimapur like New Market and Dhobinala. Sources said there is a possibility that it could be happening in other colonies as well. It is also quite obvious what these people are being taxed for. The collection is done verbally and nobody who has paid the tax received a receipt or any form of token.
“Chula tax” and “gas tax” are being imposed for anyone who has a kitchen in their home (as if there would be one without) and using a gas cylinder for cooking. “Bisna tax” is for those who own a bed while “family tax” is for those who have children. Though it cannot be ascertained who could be carrying out such criminal activities, the victims are assuming they are underground cadres. However, some of them think they are just miscreants threatening them in the name of the underground groups. “Nahi malum…Naga log hi hai (I don’t know… they are Nagas),” a rickshaw puller in Burma camp said. A vendor selling cutlets mentioned that he was taxed for his kerosene stove.
It may sound comical to some, but consider the fact that Naga people can stoop so low to rob people of their living. It is a matter of great concern and also a strong indication that things are getting out of control. And also that such miscreants are roaming the town freely makes it even more unsafe for people who barely earn enough to meet their needs.
Shocking—Naga miscreants tax people for kitchen, gas, family…
Earlier this month, The Morung Express learnt that non-Naga people living towards Burma Camp were paying tax called “Chula tax.” On further investigation, it came to light that people were paying not just “Chula tax”, but also “bisna tax”, “family tax” and “gas tax.” It also emerged that the tax collection was going on other parts of Dimapur like New Market and Dhobinala. Sources said there is a possibility that it could be happening in other colonies as well. It is also quite obvious what these people are being taxed for. The collection is done verbally and nobody who has paid the tax received a receipt or any form of token.
“Chula tax” and “gas tax” are being imposed for anyone who has a kitchen in their home (as if there would be one without) and using a gas cylinder for cooking. “Bisna tax” is for those who own a bed while “family tax” is for those who have children. Though it cannot be ascertained who could be carrying out such criminal activities, the victims are assuming they are underground cadres. However, some of them think they are just miscreants threatening them in the name of the underground groups. “Nahi malum…Naga log hi hai (I don’t know… they are Nagas),” a rickshaw puller in Burma camp said. A vendor selling cutlets mentioned that he was taxed for his kerosene stove.
It may sound comical to some, but consider the fact that Naga people can stoop so low to rob people of their living. It is a matter of great concern and also a strong indication that things are getting out of control. And also that such miscreants are roaming the town freely makes it even more unsafe for people who barely earn enough to meet their needs.
