Isak Sumi
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he ACAUT members are conscientious, sensible and responsible class of people and I believe they are also patriots like any NPG, it is therefore obligatory on their part to properly visualise the term “Sovereignty Tax” from the political perspective and not merely denigrate “Sovereignty” as “Taxation” issue.
They need to know that the fruit of Nagaland state has been purchased by sacrifices of thousands of Naga patriots and the struggle continues. Had there been no sovereignty struggle the Nagas would still be partly backward hill and NHTA under Assam under-represented and neglected. Mr. Khekiye Sema knows well of the predicament since his respected father late Khelhoshe Sema were few enlightened Nagas who represented the Nagas in Assam Assembly. They should also understand why Nagas are still exempted from paying income tax to GOI. While the rest of the Nagas were being hunted and haunted like beasts in the jungles under India’s military onslaught during 1950-1980s, I believe Mr. Khekiye Sema and the likes in the ACAUT were peacefully dreaming and scheming to barter away the blood soaked Naga struggle to GOI in the form of present Nagaland state.
The effort of ACAUT to zealously protect Nagaland state is highly laudable. They however without regret ignore the genesis of Nagaland state, the price that has been paid in the blood of thousands Naga patriots and the political ramifications that has direct bearings on the destiny of the Nagas.Although, Nagaland state is just one legacy of NPG, the ACAUT intends to superimpose Nagaland state on NPGs and their struggle. The ACAUT needs to be reminded of their primary objectives- to protest, expose and abolish market monopoly i.e. mafia type organised control of wholesales and dealerships by certain NPG in Dimapur, multiple taxations by NPGs and resultant excessive inflations. This movement had not only garnered the support of masses but even NPG like NSCN (khaplang).
The enthusiastic support of the people perhaps overwhelmed them and they started diluting sovereignty and taxation beyond reasonable limit. The ACAUT with or without intention became anti-sovereignty and anti-Naga struggle by collaborating with the business class and Indian security agents leading to arrests of many genuine NPGs members citing extortion.
The ACAUT campaign against multiple-taxation should not have assumed negative political contours against NPGs . That will be the testimony of ACAUT in the political history of the Nagas and our struggle for sovereignty. The ACAUT also should have avoided branding the entire NPGs as mere wealth seeking agencies as the NSCN/GPRN with or without taxation shall continue the struggle for sovereignty no matter how disdainful it may appear before ACAUT.
It is now for ACAUT to investigate and understand as to who are more corrupt, either NPGs, market monopolisers, political and bureaucratic echelons or themselves. No entity should escape from the prying eyes. Finally, the ACAUT shall be credited with the term “sovereignty tax” much to the grinning of common Naga’s adversary and aggressor.
Concluded
isaksumi@gmail.com ,
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