Morung Express News
Dimapur | July 16
After years of peace talks and negotiations between the Government of India (GoI) and the Naga Political Groups (NPGs), the wait for a final solution has been accompanied by hope for an end to one of the most disputed issues in Nagaland-multiple taxation.
While the NSCN (IM) and the WC, NNPGs comprising of 7 groups are in talks with the GoI, there are several other factions as well. Each group has a finance department and collects ‘tax’ for their respective governments, giving rise to multiple taxation, the brunt of which is faced by the public.
In the pursuit of peace, multiple taxation remains a major challenge, and has faced protests from the public, with little or no respite till date.
On July 16, the Western Sümi Kükami Hoho (WSKH) along with the advisory board, area chairpersons of all Western Sümi Areas declared its resolution to not entertain any form of taxation from any Naga Political Groups on the Agri-allied and forest products within the Western Sümi areas, during the COVID-19 pandemic period.
The WSKH President and General Secretary issued a press release to this effect after a meeting held on July 15 at the Western Sümi Hoho Hiyam.
The resolution, the Hoho stated, was made considering that the farming community has especially been hit hard due to the nationwide lockdown and the products of the land not yielding a good harvest.
Reiterating its demand for an early solution to the vexed Indo-Naga issue, the Hoho stated that it was an ‘opportune time’ for the Nagas to ask for solution as the government at the centre was also eager to resolve the Naga Political Issue at the earliest.
The WSKH’s resolution is the latest among various organisations and individuals demanding an early solution and consequently, an end to multiple taxation in the State.
Earlier, in April 2021, the Konyak Union (KU) adopted the ‘No Unity, No Tax’ slogan and resolved to not co-operate with the NPGs unless all the factions unite. “Inspite of so much support and sacrifices, the Naga National Workers till date continue to split into numerous factions which has not only resulted in multiplying taxation burden but it has also acted as an obstacle in achieving an honorable and acceptable early Naga solution,” the KU had stated.
Speaking to The Morung Express, KU Vice President Honang Jessuhü said that, three months since the declaration, “The reaction of the armed groups has been the biggest challenge.” However, the resolution is the ‘people’s mandate’ and not even a single tax has been paid in the Konyak area till date.
Maintaining the resolution has not been easy, the Vice President shared, but added that the public are disgruntled and burdened by the multiple taxation and unless the factions unite, a ‘unified solution’ is not possible.
It is not a move to isolate ourselves or to distance ourselves from the Naga issue. But it is a move with an aspiration that one day, all the Nagas will come together, Jessuhü added.
Voicing similar sentiments, Nino, an entrepreneur from Dimapur said that unless multiple taxations come to an end, it would be impossible for any progress to be made.
“The vehicle carrying materials for my small scale business is taxed multiple times before reaching the destination and while returning as well. The amount I pay is more than what I earn,” he shared.
Especially during the pandemic, the NPGs had declared that they would abstain/refrain from collecting taxes. However, it does not seem to be the case, he observed.
Expressing apprehension about the survival of those in the same profession, Nino added that unless the issue of multiple taxation is resolved, there will be no hope left for the local entrepreneurs and the public.
“I would rather ask what the government is doing on the issue,” said Joel Naga. Asserting that the onus is on the State government, Joel opined that the government should be held accountable for not taking a stand on the same.
It may be mentioned that a High Powered Committee on illegal collections and taxation was formed in 2015 to look into the matter had submitted its report to the State government. However, nothing concrete has emerged from that, he noted.
Stating that the public and civil society organisations have been voicing against multiple taxation since 2013, Joel added that while an early solution to the Indo-Naga issue would help to put an end to the issue of unabated taxation, “At the end, it is up to the government to make its stand clear and decide whether it has the political will to address the issue.”
