Naga Cause Dented by Multiple Taxations? : Stakeholders share concerns

Vishü Rita Krocha
Kohima | August 14

“Every Naga at heart support the Naga Cause.” This is something that Rekha Rose Dukru firmly believes in even as she declared that, “deep down, I am also very patriotic and I don’t mind paying tax to the NPGs (Naga Political Groups).” “The whole movement started with people supporting them and I know that we have to support them but the rise of illegal unabated taxations has now become too overwhelming”, she underscored.

This also comes in the wake of the alleged ‘capital punishment’ threat issued to a local contractor by the NSCN-K (Khango) leading to huge public outcry and condemnation.  

It also resulted in public rally against ongoing ‘illegal taxation, harassment, intimidation, and death threats’ faced by common citizens organised by the Angami Youth Organisation in Kohima on August 6.

“We had so much respect for them but with 26 factions now, even if they were asking for Rs 5000 earlier for instance, they should reduce it to half of it now, opined Dukru, who is also the President of Phek District Timber Association (PDTA).

She also highlighted that Meluri Sub-division in Phek district is where timber traders pay the most tax to at least 6 NPGs.

“Imagine, in one season, which is about 5-6 months, a timber trader is paying roughly about 4 lakhs of rupees to these different groups”, she pointed out. “Every time we cross this road, we have to pay and one thing I really hate is the way they ask for the tax. They are not even willing to take what we can spare,” she lamented.

With not much support from the State Government regarding this issue, the PDTA maintained that the timber association, particularly, has been “fighting against illegal taxation for several years, but something we have realised is that nobody is going to come to your rescue.”

Referring to the current issue, she stated that “there are several other incidents that happen without proof and non-receipt of payment.” 

Moreover sometimes, they (NPGs) “would wait in isolated places and many of the traders even if they don’t have anything to eat, they would still give just because they are scared,” she shared. 

Towards this end, she asserted that the State Government has to come in and enforce “one government, one tax.”

“I don’t mind the government setting up a gate and a rate for the Underground Tax Collection yearly for all the 26 groups,” she suggested, adding that “individually dealing with these people is such a headache!”

Multiple groups implies weak movement 
In the light of taxation by multiple groups, President of the Rengma Selo Zi (RSZ), Kegwayhun Tep expressed concern that if this continues, there is absolutely no future, especially for the young generation.”

“We are not exactly blaming NPGs but if we do a reality check, many Naga youths want to take up entrepreneurship knowing the fact that the government cannot absorb all the educated youth,” he said.

However, many youths are scared to even venture out, he underlined, terming the issue of multiple taxation as a “very prominent social evil, which is happening in front of our eyes.”

The ‘capital penalty’, Tep asserted “is just an example” and it is happening everywhere. “

“The problem is that some public are not raising their voice. Otherwise, if all the people concerned who have faced this consequence, keep raising their voice, it will bring a revolution”, he elaborated.

In the meantime, Tep expressed apprehension that “if and once the youths inculcate a revolutionary mind, it’s not going to be healthy in the future.” 

To avoid such a situation, he underscored that it is never too late and now it is the “time for us to come together to fight against multiple taxation.”

As long as there are multiple groups, our movement is not strong,” the RSZ President further asserted. 

“People are frustrated, and no one respects them like before. If we remain like this, we won’t go forward as a Naga society or as a Naga people.”

Unity essential 
Deeming that the recently organised public rally is an uprising of the common citizens, who have been silently suffering for too long, Dr Hovithal Sothu posed, “How can we keep feeding 26 factions?” As has been widely discussed for a long time, he asserted, “We have to all stand by one Government one Tax only.”

“If the different factions are really freedom fighters, let them first unite,” Dr Sothu added. 

Meanwhile, Sakho, a taxi driver questioned, “why won’t we give tax but what is the benefit that we are getting?” 

“Take tax, but at least do something for us in return,” he articulated, reiterating, “Why won’t we help but we get nothing in return”.

The taxi driver, who earlier ran a shop, also recalled how a couple of different groups would come asking for Rs 20,000-Rs30,000.
Ultimately, he had to pay something, if not the whole amount, usually depending on the kind of shop and their bargaining skills.  The non-locals, he observed, are paying even more.

As a matter of fact, he pointed out that “there is tax everywhere” and regretted in this regard that, “even the politicians are not honest.”

Source: https://morungexpress.com/naga-cause-dented-by-multiple-taxations-stakeholders-share-concerns